Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets Ambassadors of Six Gulf Countries: "Grave Concern Over Escalating Tensions, Regret Over Civilian Harm"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs met on the 4th with the ambassadors to Korea from six so-called "Gulf countries," including Saudi Arabia, to express concern over the heightened tensions in the Middle East and, in particular, to convey regret regarding the harm suffered by civilians.

Kwangyong Jung, Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (third from the right), is meeting with the Gulf Six embassies to South Korea—including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain—at the Government Complex Seoul on the morning of the 4th. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Kwangyong Jung, Director General for Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting on the morning of the same day at the Government Complex Seoul with the ambassadors to Korea from six Gulf countries — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain — to exchange views on recent developments in the Middle East. These countries are also members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political, economic, and security community established in 1981. The meeting was held at the request of the GCC diplomatic corps in Korea.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the GCC diplomatic corps in Korea explained the current security situation in the region and the damage resulting from attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and asked for the Korean side’s attention and support on these matters.

In response, Director General Jung stated, "We express grave concern over the rapidly escalating tensions and the expanding damage in the region. In particular, we regret the increase in harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure," adding, "We hope that such damage will no longer occur."

He further stated, "We highly appreciate the efforts the GCC countries have made for peace and stability in the Middle East," and added, "Given the negative impact of the current situation on the global economy, energy supply chains, and international transportation, we hope that peace and stability in the region will be restored as soon as possible."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and will make ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of Korean citizens and businesses and to help maintain global energy and logistics stability.

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