President Lee Expresses Gratitude to Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for Evacuation Efforts
Synopsis
In a show of international cooperation, President Lee Jae Myung thanked leaders of Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their crucial support in evacuating South Koreans amidst the ongoing regional conflict. This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral relations.
Key Takeaways
President Lee Jae Myung's letters show appreciation for international cooperation.
Evacuation involved 16 South Koreans to Japan, 322 from Qatar, and 204 from Saudi Arabia.
Strengthened diplomatic relations between South Korea, Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Military aircraft played a crucial role in the evacuation efforts.
Showcases the importance of collaboration in crisis situations.
Seoul, March 18 (NationPress) - President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea has conveyed his heartfelt thanks in letters to the leaders of Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their invaluable support in the evacuation of South Korean citizens from the tumultuous Middle East region, as reported by Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
In his correspondence with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee expressed his sincere gratitude for Japan's role in facilitating the safe return of 16 South Koreans alongside their international family members, who were flown to Tokyo on special chartered flights last Wednesday and Friday.
Lee commended the effective collaboration between the two nations, highlighting how Japanese citizens were successfully transported from Saudi Arabia to South Korea aboard a South Korean military aircraft, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
"This cooperation has significantly bolstered the friendship between our nations," Lee stated. "I trust this incident will enhance the bonds of friendship and trust between our peoples, and we will remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens."
In his letter to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, he expressed appreciation for Qatar's coordination of a special flight that successfully evacuated 322 South Koreans from the Gulf state the previous Monday.
Furthermore, Lee reached out to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, thanking him for his assistance in bringing back 204 South Koreans from Riyadh over the weekend. This marked South Korea's inaugural military airlift evacuation since the regional conflict escalated late last month, as reported by Yonhap.
Earlier, Prime Minister Takaichi also acknowledged the efforts made to evacuate Japanese nationals stranded in the Middle East via a South Korean military transport plane.
On March 15, Takaichi expressed her gratitude on social media platform X: "A South Korean military transport aircraft departed from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and shortly arrived in Seoul, carrying Japanese nationals. I sincerely thank the South Korean government and military officials for their support."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did President Lee thank Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia?
President Lee expressed gratitude to these nations for their significant assistance in evacuating South Korean citizens from the Middle East amidst the ongoing regional conflict.
How many South Koreans were evacuated?
A total of 322 South Koreans were evacuated from Qatar, and 204 were brought back from Saudi Arabia.
What was the significance of this evacuation?
This evacuation marked South Korea's first military airlift since the conflict in the Middle East escalated, highlighting the importance of international collaboration.
