About 140 S. Koreans in Israel safely left country: foreign ministry

▲ This EPA photo shows houses damaged by rocket fire from Lebanon in a residential neighborhood in the northern city of Acre, Israel, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Yonhap)

S Koreans-Israel

About 140 S. Koreans in Israel safely left country: foreign ministry

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- About 140 out of some 180 South Koreans who entered Israel for a religious event have safely left the country, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

For the remaining 40 others, the South Korean diplomatic mission in Israel is continuing to strongly urge them to leave the country as soon as possible, the ministry said.

The ministry confirmed earlier in the week that about 180 South Koreans had entered Israel to attend a religious event, amid growing tensions in the region following a series of missile and air strikes exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah.

With the departure of the 140 visitors, the number of South Koreans in Israel was down to around 540. Around 100 South Koreans are currently in Iran, with 90 others in Lebanon.

No reports of harm to South Koreans or damage to their properties have been received, the ministry said.

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