Presidential Office, "Doing Our Best to Evacuate Nationals from Sudan... Yoon Orders Cho Tae-yong to Stay in Seoul" (Comprehensive)

Inter-Ministerial Task Force Operating Since the 21st
TF Held 6 Meetings Today Alone
Yoon Maintains Close Communication with US and Domestic Authorities Amid North Korean Provocation Risks

President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed Cho Tae-yong, the Director of the National Security Office, to remain in Seoul just before departing on a state visit to the United States on the 24th. The intention is for the National Security Office to act as the control tower and oversee the safe evacuation of Korean nationals amid the civil war in Sudan, Africa.

Lee Kwan-seop, Senior Secretary for National Policy Planning, stated in a written briefing distributed to the presidential press corps that day, "The government is doing its utmost to ensure the safe evacuation of our nationals in Sudan," adding, "To this end, Director Cho has stayed in Seoul under President Yoon's orders."

He continued, "Since the task force (TF) involving related ministries began operating on the 21st, it has already convened six times today alone, starting from 4:50 a.m., thoroughly reviewing all relevant matters."

According to the presidential office, Director Cho will continue to lead the operations until the safety of Korean nationals in Sudan is secured, and will join the state visit to the U.S. once the situation is resolved.

Earlier, on the 21st, President Yoon was briefed by the National Security Office about the escalating clashes between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. Emphasizing the safety of overseas nationals as the top priority, he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense to devise multifaceted countermeasures, including dispatching military aircraft.

President Yoon was also briefed on the situation in Sudan the previous day and reportedly reiterated orders to "rescue every single citizen without leaving anyone behind and ensure their safety." To evacuate local Korean residents, the government deployed elite special forces from the Army and Air Force to Djibouti, near Sudan.

The presidential office announced on the 24th that President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed Cho Tae-yong, the Director of the National Security Office, to remain in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The presidential office directly corrected a false foreign media report claiming that a plane carrying 29 Korean nationals from Sudan had landed at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia through a notice to the press corps. Since this concerns the safety of local Korean residents, it is believed that the presidential office, which is in charge of command, intends to provide official updates directly.

Earlier, Al Arabiya TV reported that a plane carrying 29 Koreans took off from Port Sudan, located about 800 km northeast of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, and landed at Jeddah Airport.

However, no specific details were provided regarding the current evacuation status of Korean nationals. Senior Secretary Lee said, "Furthermore, since the safety of our nationals in Sudan must be prioritized, we ask for your understanding that we cannot disclose specific details at this time."

Additionally, during the state visit, a situation room will be established at the U.S. accommodation to prepare for potential provocations from North Korea, maintaining close real-time communication with the South Korean military.

Previously, when President Yoon departed for Japan on the 16th of last month for the Korea-Japan summit, North Korea launched missiles. A situation room was set up at the hotel in Tokyo, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff and military leadership were briefed on unusual developments and follow-up responses.

Italian nationals are boarding a C130 transport plane on the 24th (local time) in Khartoum, Sudan, North Africa, to escape the bloodshed caused by armed clashes between military factions.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A senior official from the presidential office mentioned on the 21st, when asked by a reporter about "the possibility of additional provocations by North Korea during the state visit and the preparedness," that "a system will be in place to connect the Yongsan headquarters and the location of the president in real time to confirm responses and issue follow-up orders."

The official further explained, "Especially during this visit to the U.S. and the surrounding period, since provocations by North Korea can be anticipated, there will be parts that can respond immediately and automatically on-site, as well as parts that gather additional information locally so that the South Korean and U.S. presidents can consult and issue follow-up instructions in coordination."

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