A Group of South Korean Citizens, Including Renowned Athletes, Were Evacuated from Iran to Turkmenistan
Amid the escalating situation in the Middle East, Turkmenistan continues to serve as a humanitarian hub for the region. On March 3, a group of 23 South Korean citizens, including renowned athletes, safely crossed the Iranian-Turkmen border and arrived in Ashgabat.
The evacuation, organized by the South Korean diplomatic service, took place under difficult conditions. Buses carrying the compatriots spent more than a day en route, traveling from Tehran to the eastern border.
Among those arriving in Turkmenistan were prominent figures in Korean sports: the head coach of the Iranian women's volleyball team, Lee Do-hee, and professional league footballer Lee Ki-jae. For them, as for the other members of the group, crossing the border into Turkmenistan marked the end of the most challenging part of their journey.
In Ashgabat, the evacuated citizens received the necessary logistical support. According to preliminary data, on March 4, the group will depart from the international airport of the Turkmen capital to Seoul or third countries.
Turkmenistan as a Territory of Stability
Reports of the successful evacuation of citizens of Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and now South Korea from Iran through Turkmenistan confirm the effectiveness of Turkmenistan's border and migration services.
Following its regional neighbors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has officially recommended that its citizens use Turkmen territory as a priority route for returning home. According to the Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan, key checkpoints on the Turkmen-Iranian border have been open for evacuation since March 2: Serakhs and Artyk are open to all Kyrgyz citizens holding regular passports. Bajigiran is intended for holders of diplomatic passports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan emphasized that the operation of these checkpoints was made possible thanks to the prompt support of the Turkmen side. The Kyrgyz Embassy in Ashgabat has been placed on high alert to welcome compatriots and provide them with further assistance during transit through the Turkmen capital's international airport.
Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality status once again confirms its practical value, transforming the country into a reliable humanitarian bridge amid regional instability.
