Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Saturday directed officers to step up measures to guard South Korean nationals residing in Venezuela and to maintain evacuation plans prepared ought to the state of affairs deteriorate additional, his workplace stated.

The directions adopted reviews of US navy strikes on Venezuela, confirmed by US President Donald Trump, amid heightened strain by Washington on Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro.

A spokesperson at Cheong Wa Dae stated President Lee had requested authorities to make sure the security of South Koreans in Venezuela and to ensure evacuation procedures could possibly be applied swiftly if required. The international ministry in Seoul is ready to carry an emergency assembly later within the day to assessment the evolving state of affairs and determine on additional steps.

In accordance with officers, round 70 South Korean residents are presently in Venezuela, together with almost 50 within the capital, Caracas, the place US strikes had been reported. No accidents or casualties involving South Koreans have been confirmed to date, in response to Yonhap.

The ministry has additionally arrange a job drive centered on the safety of abroad nationals and is working intently with South Korea’s diplomatic mission in Venezuela to watch developments and make sure the security of its residents.

Trump earlier introduced that the USA had carried out a large-scale navy operation towards Venezuela and claimed that Maduro had been captured and flown in another country. Posting on his social media platform Reality Social, he stated the operation was performed in coordination with US regulation enforcement companies and that extra particulars could be shared throughout a information convention at Mar-a-Lago.

The state of affairs in Venezuela stays fluid, with regional and worldwide governments intently watching developments amid rising considerations over safety and civilian security.