▲ Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna speaks during a press briefing on Dec. 16, 2025. (Yonhap)

defense ministry-Iran

Defense chief calls for 'immediately' deploying military assets to evacuate nationals in Iran if needed

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has called on the military to be prepared to "immediately" deploy its assets to help evacuate South Korean nationals in Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Tehran if the government requests such support, the defense ministry said Tuesday.

Ahn made the remarks during a meeting he convened the previous day to discuss the situation surrounding the Middle East and inspect the safety of South Korean troops dispatched overseas.

"We are thoroughly preparing (for the possibility), but no such request has been made yet," said Chung Binna, the ministry's spokesperson, when asked if the ministry was considering deploying transport planes to evacuate Korean nationals from Iran.

Asked about the possibility of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)'s assets being temporarily deployed to the Middle East, Chung declined to comment directly on the matter, saying that South Korea will "closely communicate with the U.S.

"The USFK's mission is to maintain a robust defense posture in coordination with the Korean military to contribute to security and peace on the Korean Peninsula and the region," she said.

The remarks came amid speculations that the USFK may relocate part of its assets on the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East, as Washington could brace for the possibility of a protracted conflict.

The U.S. military stationed in South Korea temporarily relocated its Patriot missile defense batteries to the Middle East in early 2025, shortly before the U.S. launched precision strikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in June.

The White House at the time assessed the operation, dubbed Midnight Hammer, as a highly successful one, with U.S. President Donald Trump claiming American strikes had "obliterated" Tehran's nuclear facilities.

The Patriot batteries, which are designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at low to mid-range altitudes, were returned to South Korea in October last year.

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