On the 2nd (local time), the second day since the Rafah border checkpoint was opened to allow only foreigners, dual nationals, and seriously injured patients staying in the Gaza Strip in Palestine to leave for Egypt, it was reported that five Korean nationals were included in the second list of border crossing subjects.
According to foreign media such as Qatar’s state-run Al Jazeera and the New York Times (NYT), a total of 596 foreigners and dual nationals were fleeing to Egypt through the Rafah checkpoint on this day, including five with Korean nationality.
It is known that they are a Korean woman in her 40s, her Palestinian husband in his 40s, and their three children, a family that has lived in the area for a long time. All are Korean nationals.
Previously, on the 10th of last month, during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee’s audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin responded to the question, “Are the whereabouts of Korean residents in the Gaza Strip being identified?” and responded, “We are doing so.” The Korean residents in Gaza were a family of about five people. It has been mentioned.
At the time, Minister Park was asked, “Shouldn’t we evacuate Korean residents from the Gaza Strip since the Korean embassy does not have proper influence?” and said, “We are currently in a state of refuge, but we will take safety measures immediately after looking at the situation.”
Meanwhile, of the 596 people included in this list, American nationals accounted for the majority with 400, followed by Belgians with 50. In addition, 24 people were from Greece, 23 from Croatia, 20 from Hungary and the Netherlands, 17 from Sri Lanka, 11 from Switzerland, 8 from Azerbaijan, 6 from Bahrain, 4 from Italy and North Macedonia, and 2 from Mexico and Chad.
The Rafah checkpoint is the only exit from the Gaza Strip. It was reported that on the previous day (the 1st), 400 people, including foreigners, and 90 patients came out. Since the outbreak of war on the 7th of last month, relief vehicles have been passing through, but this is the first time that people have escaped.
Kim So-young,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.