Military Coup in Niger, Foreign Ministry Advises Withdrawal of 9 Citizens Wishing to Remain

Five of 14 Korean Nationals Staying Withdraw
Nine Hope to Remain

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 8th advised the evacuation of nine South Korean nationals currently staying in Niger.

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, the Niger military detained President Mohamed Bazoum and staged a coup d'?tat. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) warned the Niger military that it may undertake military intervention if constitutional order is not restored. In response, some countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Japan have also begun evacuating their nationals.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 14 South Korean nationals were staying in Niger. Among them, three evacuated on the 3rd via a French flight. On the 4th, two more evacuated via a Spanish military aircraft, leaving nine currently remaining.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters, “We are conducting daily safety checks on the nine remaining individuals and taking precautionary measures such as distributing emergency rations. Since there is no Korean diplomatic mission established in Niger, local measures are being carried out with the cooperation of the Honorary Consul of Niger.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, considering the possibility of a rapid deterioration of the local situation, continues to recommend evacuation to the nine individuals; however, most of them are reportedly hoping to remain due to their livelihoods and other reasons. The official explained, “Despite continuous evacuation recommendations, the remaining nationals wish to stay. Our government will closely monitor the local situation and continue protective measures for those remaining.”