President Lee thanks Turkmenistan, Singapore for evacuating Koreans from Iran

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday sent letters of appreciation to the leaders of Turkmenistan and Singapore, thanking them for their countries' support in helping South Koreans evacuate from the Middle East, Cheong Wa Dae said Monday.

According to the presidential office, Lee thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan for assistance in the evacuation from Iran. In the operation, 25 South Korean citizens, along with four Iranian family members of the Korean nationals, were moved out of Iran into Turkmenistan.

In the letter, Lee highlighted the Turkmen government’s designation of a dedicated checkpoint and its swift cooperation in expediting border procedures, ensuring the safe passage of the evacuees.

According to a written briefing by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, President Lee described the operation as “an opportunity to once again confirm the depth of friendship and trust between the two countries.”

In a separate letter, the South Korean president also thanked Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for Singapore’s assistance in evacuating four South Korean nationals from Oman.

The Singaporean government facilitated their safe travel by allowing the evacuees to board a charter flight from Oman on March 7 and 8.

Singapore’s special support in an urgent situation greatly contributed to the safety of our citizens, Lee wrote.