US Orders Family Evacuation of Kyiv Embassy Staff
South Korea Says "No Staff Withdrawal Under Review Yet"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Our government is closely monitoring the situation on the ground while conducting close consultations with the United States regarding the Ukraine crisis, where military tensions have escalated.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 24th that regarding the Ukraine crisis, where the possibility of a Russian invasion is increasing, "We will closely monitor the situation in Ukraine together with local missions and continue to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of overseas nationals."
The official explained, "There are about 800 of our nationals staying in Ukraine, and there are no Koreans residing in the border areas between Russia and Ukraine."
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently, the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine (since March 3, 2014) and the Donbas region (since April 16, 2014) are under Travel Alert Level 3 (Departure Recommended).
However, unlike the United States, which has issued a withdrawal order for families of embassy staff in Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly not yet considering related measures.
A senior government official emphasized, "We are not yet considering the withdrawal of our Kyiv embassy or the evacuation of families," adding, "We will do our best to ensure safety depending on the local situation."
The United States and Russia, embroiled in conflict over the Ukraine crisis, have reached a brink-of-war situation. On the 23rd (local time), the U.S. Department of State issued a statement ordering the withdrawal of families of U.S. embassy staff in Ukraine and allowing non-essential personnel to voluntarily leave Ukraine.
Additionally, on the same day, the U.S. raised its travel ban on Russia to the highest level for its citizens. This measure was taken due to the increased likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia has deployed approximately 100,000 troops along the eastern border of Ukraine.
Ko Jae-nam, Honorary Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, stated, "If the Vladimir Putin administration crosses the red line it set (Ukraine's NATO membership), it will have no choice but to take military action," adding, "The possibility of war is still fifty-fifty."
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