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Koreans in Iran flee to embassy as U.S. airstrikes intensify

Published: 02 Mar. 2026, 18:26 Updated: 02 Mar. 2026, 18:33

Fireballs are seen after reported strikes near the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting headquarters in Tehran, Iran on March 1. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Koreans residing in Iran are evacuating to the Korean Embassy in Tehran as U.S. attacks on Iran intensify, according to sources on Monday.

“Those who are able to move are gathering one after another at the relatively safe embassy,” said Kim Hyuck, a professor of Persian and Iranian studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, in a phone interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on Monday.

“One of my students who is studying in Iran contacted me to say, ‘I made it to the embassy safely,’” Kim said. “The Iranian government announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and declared a weeklong public holiday and a 40-day mourning period. Koreans began heading to the embassy after the announcement.”

About 60 Koreans are reportedly staying in Iran.

“Because the situation in Iran has been unstable since last year, the embassy has established an emergency contact system,” Kim said. “It checks on the safety of Koreans twice a day through communication networks.”

Among those who have evacuated is Lee Ki-je, a former Korean national football team player who joined Iran’s professional league this season.

Korean professional footballer Lee Ki-je, right, who plays for the Mes Rafsanjan FC of the Iran Pro League, is seen during a match at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi in this file photo [JOONGANG ILBO]

Lee is expected to receive assistance from the embassy to travel to a nearby airport and return to Korea by plane. Considering the dangerous situation, he is likely to terminate his remaining contract with his club, Mes Rafsanjan FC, for the time being.

“The strike locations appear relatively clear and seem focused on targeted assassination operations,” Kim said regarding the U.S. attacks on Iran.

However, concerns over the safety of Korean residents remain high, as Iran has claimed civilian casualties.

At least 165 civilians, including students and teachers, were killed when a missile struck an elementary school during the airstrikes, according to Iranian authorities on Sunday.

A building in Tehran, Iran is seen after a bombing on March 1. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

“Iran’s retaliatory attacks may be less precise, which could expose Koreans in other Middle Eastern countries to greater danger,” Kim warned.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain and U.S. bases in the United Arab Emirates following the start of U.S. airstrikes.

There were also reports that Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian militia based in Lebanon, carried out attacks on Israel Monday.

Koreans staying in Israel have devised what they describe as a “two-track” evacuation plan through the embassy and the Korean community association.

“The community plans to gather residents and evacuate to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula for about one to two weeks,” said Lee Kang-keun, head of the Korean community in Israel, in a phone interview with the JoongAng Ilbo. “The plan was approved at the executive meeting of the Korean association on Sunday, and the move is expected to take place during the week.”

The Iranian flag is seen in front of the Embassy of Iran in Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul on June 22, 2025. [YONHAP]

“The Korean Embassy in Israel is accepting registrations from short-term visitors and plans to move to Cairo soon,” Lee said. “We have heard that Cairo Airport is effectively closed. There is an urgent need for countermeasures, as Koreans could end up stranded in Egypt for an extended period.”

Meanwhile, some Korean community leaders in the Middle East, including Lee Tae-sik, head of the Korean association in eastern Saudi Arabia, and Kwak Seon-gyu, head of the association in Bahrain, are reportedly stranded in Kenya.

A federation of Korean associations in Africa and the Middle East held its regular general meeting in Kenya from Feb. 23 to Saturday, but Kenya’s airport operations were suddenly disrupted due to the airstrikes.

Hyundai Motor Group's Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME) plant in Saudi Arabia is seen in this file photo from Oct. 28, 2025. [HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP]

“Although I am away from my post, I am communicating frequently with the community,” said Lee Tae-sik. “Fortunately, there have been no casualties so far.”

About 3,000 Koreans reside in Saudi Arabia, where many Korean companies in electronics, construction and defense industries operate.

“There were reports that Iran struck a U.S. base in the eastern region where Korean construction firms operate, but there is no clear evidence and no reports of damage,” Kim Hyo-seok, head of the Korean community in central Saudi Arabia, said. “For now, daily life continues as usual.”

“There are about 150 to 200 Koreans in Bahrain, and so far there have been no casualties,” an official from the Korean community in Bahrain said.

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 KIM JEONG-JAE [[email protected]]