South Korea raises travel advisories for Lebanon and Saudi Arabia amid conflict
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised travel advisories on Friday for parts of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia amid signs of a prolonged Middle East conflict. As of 8:00 p.m. Korea time, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate in Lebanon, along with the Sur Beqaa District and Rashaya District in Beqaa Governorate, were added to the Level 4 travel alert, the highest level, effectively a travel ban for Korean nationals.
In Saudi Arabia, the western city of Yanbu, which hosts major oil refining facilities on the Red Sea coast, was added to Level 3, described as a departure advisory. Level 3 indicates that Koreans should consider leaving the area unless travel is essential.
The Foreign Ministry noted that travel to Level 4 zones is restricted by Korea’s Passport Act, with penalties possible for visiting or staying in those areas without special permit. The ministry emphasized that those planning to travel should cancel or postpone their plans, and nationals currently in the affected regions should relocate to safer areas unless there is a compelling need to stay.
The advisory update comes as the Middle East conflict appears likely to continue, prompting Seoul to reassess risk to its citizens abroad and to critical foreign-facing infrastructure in the region. While the warning focuses on travel safety for Korean nationals, the decision has broader implications for international energy security and supply chains.
Baalbek-Hermel and Rashaya are areas in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border, while Sur Beqaa is a district within Beqaa Governorate in central Lebanon. Yanbu is a western Saudi city on the Red Sea coast, part of Medina Province and a hub for petroleum refining and related industries. Changes to travel advisories can affect multinational business travel, international operations, and investors with exposure to Middle East markets.
Foreign nationals and companies with ties to the region should monitor MOFA updates and consider contingency plans for travel and operations in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. The ministry urged travelers to verify current conditions and work with embassies or consulates if necessary.