South Korea urges 50 citizens in Iran to leave as unrest continues

Foreign ministry officials attend an emergency meeting, chaired by Vice Minister Kim Jin-a, at the ministry's office in central Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026. Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

SEOUL, January 17 (AJP) - The South Korean government said Friday that around 50 citizens are currently staying in Iran, urging them to leave the country as soon as possible amid continuing unrest.

According to a joint meeting held Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas missions to assess safety measures in Iran—where violent crackdowns have followed recent anti-government protests—no casualties involving South Koreans had been reported. The meeting was attended by officials from South Korea’s embassies in Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, Turkmenistan and Türkiye.

Iran has been gripped by widespread protests sparked by economic hardship, with authorities carrying out a hardline response using snipers and other security forces. Some estimates suggest that the death toll may range from several thousand to more than 10,000, though the exact scale remains unclear as Iranian authorities have restricted internet access and information flows.

Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a said the situation remains highly uncertain due to numerous variables, stressing the need to prioritize citizen safety even at the risk of criticism.

"Even if we are criticized for taking excessive precautions, it is preferable to act in a way that minimizes risk," Kim said, echoing remarks previously made by the president. She urged officials to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals.

Kim also emphasized that a Level 3 travel advisory—recommending departure—has been issued for all regions of Iran, calling on South Koreans in the country to leave as quickly as possible.

She further instructed South Korean missions in three neighboring countries to thoroughly prepare all necessary measures to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of citizens in the event of an emergency.

South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Kim Jun-pyo said the embassy is checking the safety of all South Korean nationals in Iran on a daily basis and actively encouraging them to depart.

"Departures are continuing," Kim said, adding that the embassy is maintaining constant communication with the local South Korean community and regularly reviewing and updating evacuation plans in case the situation deteriorates further.
Kim Hee-su Reporter khs@ajupress.com

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