Seoul voices concerns over rising tensions in meeting with Gulf ambassadors

▲ Chung Kwang-yong, director general of the foreign ministry's African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, meets with ambassadors from the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Seoul on March 4, 2026, in this image provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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Seoul voices concerns over rising tensions in meeting with Gulf ambassadors

SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- A senior foreign ministry official met Wednesday with ambassadors from six Arab states along the Persian Gulf and expressed concerns over rising tensions in the region, the foreign ministry said.

Chung Kwang-yong, director general of the ministry's African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, met with ambassadors from the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- the ministry said.

The meeting came as conflicts triggered by recent U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran show signs of expanding across the Middle East, with Tehran launching retaliatory strikes on targets in Gulf states and beyond.

Chung expressed "grave concerns" over escalating regional tensions and damage, saying he hopes no more civilians and civilian infrastructure are harmed by the conflicts.

He also praised the Gulf countries' diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East, expressing hope that the region will quickly regain peace to prevent the incident from negatively affecting the global economy, energy supply chains and global logistics.

The ambassadors briefed the official on the regional security situation and the impact of recent conflicts on civilians and infrastructure, calling for the country's attention and support, the foreign ministry said.

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