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Lee says government ready for 'all possible scenarios' in Middle East as he starts Singapore, Philippines trip

Published: 01 Mar. 2026, 19:54 Updated: 03 Mar. 2026, 17:13

President Lee Jae Myung, right, and first lady Kim Hea Kyung wave as they depart for state visits to Singapore and the Philippines from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi on March 1. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday assured the public that the government is preparing for “all possible scenarios” and maintaining an emergency response system in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East as he began a four-day trip to Singapore and the Philippines.

“The international situation is unstable, but you do not need to worry at all,” Lee wrote on X after arriving at Changi Airport in Singapore. “We are preparing for all possible scenarios.”

Lee departed earlier in the day for a state-visit to Singapore and the Philippines.

“In the economy, financial markets and national security, the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, is making thorough preparations,” Lee wrote. “The Blue House, led by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and all senior secretaries, is maintaining an emergency response system and preparing for every possible contingency.”

Lee urged citizens to remain focused on their daily lives despite global uncertainty.

“We are the people who overcame even an insurrection,” Lee wrote. “Now we have a government built on popular sovereignty by those great citizens. I ask you to go about your daily lives with peace of mind and focus on your work.”

“An insurrection” refers to the charges stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3, 2024, declaration of martial law, for which a court found him guilty on Feb. 19.

Lee's remarks came as tensions in the Middle East intensified following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Saturday that led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s warning of retaliation.

People carry a large Iranian flag as they gather after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and U.S. strikes in Tehran, Iran on March 1. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Before departing, Lee instructed Prime Minister Kim to keep the emergency response system in place and report developments on a regular basis.

Kim convened an emergency meeting of related ministers at the Government Complex Seoul in central Seoul, to assess potential diplomatic, security and economic impacts.

Kim instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue checking on the safety of Korean nationals staying in the Middle East and neighboring countries and to strengthen public guidance.

No Korean casualties have been reported in Iran or Israel so far, the ministry said. About 60 Korean nationals remain in Iran and about 600 in Israel.

The government began closely tracking international oil prices and movements in the currency and financial markets in case of sharp fluctuations.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries are checking supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

The Office of National Security at the Blue House also convened a National Security Council meeting on Saturday to prepare for a possible prolonged crisis.

During his visit, Lee will hold a summit and luncheon with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday, and will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam before attending a state banquet. He will also attend the AI Connect Summit event hosted by both countries.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, Lee will visit Manila for a summit and state banquet with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. The summit on Tuesday marks the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and the Philippines.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG JAE-HONG [[email protected]]