South Korea Evacuates Nationals from Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions

In a decisive move, South Korea successfully evacuated 97 citizens and their family members from Lebanon using a military aircraft, marking the country’s first such operation amid rising regional tensions. The South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that the KC-330 military transport aircraft landed at Seoul Airport at 12:50 PM local time (3:50 GMT).

The evacuation included 96 South Korean nationals and one Lebanese family member of a South Korean citizen, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad. The ministry stated, “Our government will continue to closely monitor the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East to guarantee the safety of our citizens. We are prepared to take all necessary measures for their protection.”

The operation follows an order from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who instructed the immediate dispatch of a military transport aircraft to facilitate the return of citizens. As of Wednesday, approximately 130 South Koreans were in Lebanon, not including diplomats and their families. The ministry also reported 110 South Koreans in Iran and 480 in Israel.

Tensions in the region have escalated since Israel launched a “limited” military ground operation in southern Lebanon on October 1, aiming to avoid permanent occupation. In recent days, the Israeli Air Force has conducted extensive strikes against Hezbollah targets, resulting in significant casualties among high-ranking commanders. In retaliation, Hezbollah has increased missile attacks, primarily aimed at northern Israel, heightening concerns about the ongoing conflict.