"Tense Sudan Escape"...The 'Promise' Behind the Scenes Shines with Allied Cooperation

Clashes Between Sudan Government and Rebels... Deployment of Korean Land, Sea, and Air Forces
Intense Diplomatic Battle... Gathering 'Local Intelligence' Through Allies
UAE Takes Initiative from Large Buses to Security for Korean Nationals

Twenty-eight Korean nationals evacuated from Sudan in North Africa, where numerous casualties occurred due to armed clashes between warlords, have safely set foot on Korean soil. The diplomatic efforts that secured cooperation from allied countries were behind the successful 'safe return' of our citizens amid the tense situation where gunfire echoed around the embassy and even the airport was closed.

According to government officials, the Air Force multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft KC-330 carrying our nationals landed on the runway of Seoul Airport located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, at around 3:57 p.m. on the 25th. This marks a safe return ten days after the outbreak of fighting on the ground.

Armed Conflict Rapidly Spreads Across Sudan

Overseas Koreans who had been isolated due to armed clashes between warlords in Sudan, North Africa, arrived at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia on the 24th (local time) aboard a Korean military aircraft.
[Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

The fighting between the Sudanese government forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebel group began on the 15th. The armed conflict quickly spread throughout Sudan, leading to a perilous situation with numerous casualties across various regions. The Korean government operated on a 24-hour basis immediately after the incident and formed a task force (TF) centered on the National Security Office on the 20th, followed by the decision to dispatch military transport aircraft the next day. The evacuation operation involved elite units from the Army Special Warfare Command's 707th Special Mission Unit for counterterrorism, Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT), and the Cheonghae Unit's Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer (DDH-II, 4,400 tons). The operation was named 'Promise,' marking the first overseas rescue mission involving all three military branches.

Gathering the nationals at the Korean embassy located in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, was the first challenge. A Foreign Ministry official recalled, "It was so dangerous that they could not even go out to the windows, let alone move on the streets," adding, "The most urgent task was to gather the nationals scattered across nine locations at the embassy."

Although the embassy was situated in the city center, known as a battleground, it was considered relatively safe because the Taegeukgi flag was displayed and supplies were relatively abundant. The problem was what came next: even if the embassy could temporarily guarantee their safety, there were no suitable means for escape. The U.S. base where the C-130J 'Super Hercules' transport aircraft and KC-330 'Cygnus' aerial refueling transport aircraft were stationed was more than 1,200 km away in a straight line from Khartoum, making an airlift operation practically impossible. Moreover, Khartoum's airport was already closed.

Breathless Diplomatic Battle... Risking Danger for 'Land Escape'

President Yoon Suk-yeol presiding over a meeting regarding the evacuation of Korean residents in Sudan aboard Air Force One [Image source=Yonhap News]

The diplomatic authorities simultaneously contacted multiple allied countries to explore possible routes for the nationals' movement. They gathered as much information as possible not only from Western countries such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom but also from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. In particular, the UAE, which maintained friendly relations with local forces, played a significant role. According to a Foreign Ministry official, the UAE side emphasized "your people are our people" during communications with Foreign Minister Park Jin and promised assistance at every possible level.

Based on the information collected through allied countries, the government chose land transportation. Even during meetings, gunfire could be heard around the embassy, and bombs were exploding in various places, creating an urgent situation. Although the situation was unstable to the extent that the next moment was unpredictable, the government made a decision based on the fact that Saudi Arabian and Jordanian refugees and UN staff had moved overland to Port Sudan. Thus, 28 Korean nationals boarded a large bus at the Korean embassy, and the vehicle, which departed on the morning of the 23rd, headed to Port Sudan, a northeastern port city of Sudan located about 840 km away in a straight line.

To maximize safety, the government reportedly chose to travel together with nationals of allied and neighboring countries. In addition to the large bus carrying our nationals, five other buses followed, carrying foreigners of various nationalities, including Japanese, UAE, and Malaysian citizens. The total number of people traveling on the six buses was reported to be between 200 and 300. According to the nationals, during the more than 15-hour journey, there were tense moments such as a bus breaking down and causing a 6 to 7-hour delay, and changing the route in preparation for emergencies.

After safely arriving in Port Sudan, the nationals boarded the waiting Air Force C-130J 'Super Hercules' transport aircraft and arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, across the Red Sea. They then took the Air Force multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft KC-330 'Cygnus' at around 2:54 a.m. Korean time and headed to Seoul Airport. Among the 29 Koreans in Sudan, one person who had acquired local nationality expressed the intention to remain and did not accompany the return journey.

Behind the Scenes of the Sudan Escape... 'Safe Return' Thanks to Allied Cooperation

Sudanese expatriates, who were isolated due to armed clashes between warlords and evacuated through the South Korean government's 'Promise' operation, are arriving at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Behind the life-risking escape process were remarkable efforts by our diplomats and nationals. Ambassador Nam Gung-hwan came to the embassy on holidays before the situation worsened to conduct emergency inspections with staff. This was the background that allowed the escape plan centered on the embassy to proceed smoothly. From the early stages of the crisis, our nationals operated a tight emergency contact network with the embassy, checking their safety twice a day. Despite the anxiety, they faithfully followed the embassy's advice and comforted each other by making kimbap with the remaining food.

A Foreign Ministry official who guided the escape process recalled the 'breathless diplomatic battle' and said, "It was possible to see who truly helps you in difficult times." Among several allied countries, the UAE not only provided a large bus for our nationals but also took on security duties. It was judged that if our military forces were deployed, there was a risk of being caught up in the civil war. The UAE first expressed willingness to support the land movement of our nationals and mediated negotiations with both Sudanese government and rebel forces to guarantee the safety of third-country nationals' evacuation.

Deputy Spokesperson Lim said, "Based on various diplomatic efforts, I believe that our nationals staying in Sudan were able to return safely today," adding, "During this process, various related ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense, supported diverse measures as a 'one team' with the Presidential Office."

Meanwhile, the government has decided to temporarily suspend operations of the Korean embassy in Sudan. All Korean diplomatic staff have already withdrawn from Khartoum, and for the time being, an 'emergency duty system' will be maintained by assigning duties to the Korean Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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