Government Sends Military Transport Aircraft to Israel... Evacuations Include 163 Koreans and 51 Japanese

Air Force 'Cygnus' Transport Aircraft Departs for Korea Early Morning on the 14th
Carrying Japanese and Singaporean Aid Workers on Humanitarian Grounds

The government dispatched a military transport plane to Israel, which was suddenly attacked by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, to evacuate 163 Koreans.

The government dispatched military transport aircraft to Israel, which was suddenly attacked by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, evacuating 163 Koreans.
On the 13th, the Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT) checked and discussed preparations ahead of the urgent overseas mission. (Photo provided by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense announced on the 14th that a military transport plane carrying a total of 220 people, including 163 Koreans?81 long-term residents and 82 short-term travelers?as well as 51 Japanese and 6 Singaporeans, departed Ben Gurion Airport in Israel early that morning.

The Air Force's KC-330 'Cygnus' multipurpose aerial refueling transport plane left Korea the previous afternoon, arrived in Tel Aviv on the 13th local time, and departed for Korea early on the 14th. The military transport plane is expected to arrive at Seongnam Seoul Airport late that night. To support the evacuation of Koreans, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' rapid response team and the Ministry of National Defense's medical team were also dispatched on the transport flight.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters the previous day, "As the armed conflict rapidly intensifies and military operations against the Gaza Strip appear imminent, airlines including Korean Air have suspended or canceled flights to Tel Aviv Airport, so we judged that support for the return of our citizens was necessary."

He explained, "Among the available aircraft, the military plane was the fastest and most promptly deployable, and since the reduction in the number of residents was slow due to circumstances, we saw the need to resolve the departure demand all at once." He added, "We will continue to guide, encourage, and recommend that people move to safer places using land routes or third-country flights and exit Israel."

On the 13th, a KC-330 military transport aircraft took off from the Air Force 5th Air Mobility Wing for an urgent mission to transport Korean residents in Israel. (Photo by the Ministry of National Defense) [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government issued a special travel advisory for Israel on the 8th, urging departure to third countries if possible. Travel alerts are composed of four levels: Level 1 - Caution, Level 2 - Refrain from Travel, Level 3 - Departure Recommendation, and Level 4 - Travel Ban. The special travel advisory is issued separately for urgent short-term risks and can last up to 90 days. The level of the special travel advisory corresponds to 2.5, which is higher than the existing Level 2 'Refrain from Travel' alert.

With this transport flight, the government also evacuated Japanese and Singaporean nationals who were staying in Israel. Of the approximately 230 available seats, after excluding Koreans wishing to board, remaining seats were offered to Japanese passengers on humanitarian grounds.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "There have been many cases where Korea and Japan have provided mutual cooperation during overseas emergencies, such as during the 'Promise' operation for the evacuation of Korean residents from Sudan."

Meanwhile, the KC-330 'Cygnus' multipurpose aerial refueling transport plane used in this evacuation was also deployed during the 'Promise' operation in Sudan last April, transporting Korean residents from Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia to Seoul Airport. It also carried out the 'Miracle Operation' in August 2021, safely transporting about 390 Afghan special contributors and their families from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, after it was captured by the Taliban.

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