Due to Worsening Situation in Afghanistan, Korean Embassy Temporarily Closes... Staff Evacuated to Third Countries

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the Taliban, an armed group, taking control of Afghanistan, South Korea has also temporarily closed its embassy in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 16th, "The government decided to temporarily close our embassy in Afghanistan on the 15th due to the rapidly deteriorating situation and evacuated most of the embassy staff to a third country in the Middle East."

The Taliban entered the capital Kabul on the 15th (local time) and took control of the government, while Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, fled abroad. Consequently, embassies of major countries including the United States have either begun withdrawing or are preparing to withdraw.

Accordingly, South Korea had been closely monitoring the local situation, and decided to close the embassy as the situation worsened. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "To support the safe evacuation of overseas nationals staying in Afghanistan, several embassy staff including the local ambassador are currently in a safe location maintaining close communication with headquarters," and added, "The government is cooperating closely with allied countries including the United States to ensure their safe evacuation."

There is one overseas national currently staying in the area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.