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| ▲ This EPA photo shows passengers boarding a bus for the 12-hour journey to Riyadh airport in Doha, Qatar, on March 8, 2026. After more than a week of airspace disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, nearly all flights from Hamad International Airport remain cancelled, with over 8,000 passengers currently reported stranded in Qatar. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) S Korea-Qatar-FM talks
(LEAD) Top diplomats of S. Korea, Qatar discuss evacuations, energy supply amid Middle East crisis
(ATTN: ADDS Cho's talks with Turkish minister in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call with his Qatari counterpart Monday and asked for support for the safe return of South Korean nationals and stable energy supplies amid the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
During the call with Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Cho mentioned Qatar's recent announcement to suspend production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and asked for the country's cooperation to ensure stable energy supplies to South Korea, according to the ministry.
The Qatari minister asked for Seoul's attention and support regarding recent damage to civilian facilities in Qatar and other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council following attacks by Iran.
Cho expressed deep concern and condolences over damage to civilians, as well as civilian facilities and energy infrastructure, in Qatar and other Gulf countries.
Cho also thanked Qatar for arranging an emergency flight to carry South Koreans staying in the Middle Eastern country and expressed hope for continued close consultations on the issue.
A special flight carrying around 300 South Koreans departed Doha earlier in the day and is scheduled to arrive in Incheon, west of Seoul, at around 12:21 a.m. Tuesday.
Flight disruptions at major airports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and neighboring countries have left thousands of South Koreans stranded, prompting Seoul to seek ways to facilitate their departure through consultations with the relevant governments.
About 2,000 South Koreans are currently staying in Qatar, according to the ministry.
Cho also spoke by phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and asked for the Turkish government's attention and support to ensure the safe return of South Koreans traveling through Istanbul, as some South Korean nationals in the Middle East are evacuating via the city.
Fidan said the ongoing conflict is spreading across the region and that the situation has reached a critical turning point, stressing that his government will take measures to prevent the conflict from escalating into a more serious situation in close consultation with key countries involved, the ministry said.
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