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| ▲ This image provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 5, 2026, shows a travel ban issued on all of Iran (R), upgraded from a travel warning (L). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) S Korea-Iran-travel ban
(LEAD) S. Korea issues travel ban on Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions
(ATTN: UPDATES with details throughout; CHANGES headline)
SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has issued a travel ban on all parts of Iran amid worsening security conditions in the Middle East following strikes by the United States and Israel on the country, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
Effective at 6 p.m., the government raised Iran's travel alert from the previous Level 3, which advises South Korean nationals to leave the country, to Level 4, the highest in South Korea's four-tier travel warning system, which prohibits travel to the designated country.
The ministry warned that South Korean nationals who visit or remain in Iran without prior authorization may face punishment under relevant laws. It advised those planning to travel to the country to cancel their trips and urged those currently there to evacuate.
About 40 South Korean nationals currently remain in Iran. Those wishing to continue staying in the country must obtain special authorization for exceptional passport use, the ministry said.
However, the government said it plans to temporarily suspend penalties for violations of the requirement while applications are being processed, as the approval process typically takes more than one month.
Detailed guidance will be provided through the South Korean Embassy in Iran and the foreign ministry's overseas travel safety website, it added.
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