Korea to repatriate 290 nationals from UAE via chartered flight

Home > National > Social Affairs

Published: 07 Mar. 2026, 13:19

LEE SOO-JUNG
[email protected]

Korean tourists who were staying in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, arrive in Korea at Incheon International Airport on March 5. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Korea is planning to repatriate some 290 Korean nationals through a chartered flight departing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.

A 290-seat Etihad aircraft is expected to depart from the UAE at around 12 p.m. Sunday.

The effort comes amid an escalation of war between Iran and the United States, which affects safety in neighboring nations in the Middle East. Around 20,000 Korean nationals are estimated to be in the region, including Iran and Israel, according to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

The Korean Embassy to the UAE is currently conducting a survey of demand among Korean nationals in the country. Priorities will be given to patients in critical condition, disabled people, pregnant women, elderly people and children.

Passengers will be required to pay the regular airfare for the flight between Korea and the UAE at a later date.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]