- Title: Afghan evacuees to arrive in Seoul, South Korean foreign ministry says
- Date: 25th August 2021
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - JULY 8, 2020) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SOUTH KOREA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING SIGN READING (Korean and English): "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS / MOFA"
- Embargoed: 8th September 2021 04:23
- Keywords: Afghanistan Foreign Ministry Islamist South Korea Taliban conflict deadline evacuation evacuees insurgents militants
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002ERS0F2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Korea is carrying out an operation to evacuate more than 380 Afghans by military aircraft, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Wednesday (August 25), as an August 31 deadline for foreign troops to complete evacuations looms.
Three South Korean military transport aircraft carrying local Afghans, who have for years aided South Korea's rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan, and their immediate family members would arrive at Incheon International Airport in Seoul on Thursday (August 26), Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon said in a news conference.
"They are coming to our country as 'persons of special merit', not as refugees," Choi said.
Tens of thousands of Afghans fearing persecution have thronged Kabul's airport since the Taliban took over the country, the lucky ones securing seats on flights, mostly arranged by Western governments, that have so far evacuated at least 70,000 people.
The Taliban said all foreign evacuations from the country must be completed by Aug. 31, and asked the United States to stop urging talented Afghans to leave the country.
(Production: Yeni Seo, Minwoo Park) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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