In the midst of increased tensions in the area, South Korea has decided to ban its citizens from travelling to all regions of Ukraine and has advised those who are already there to leave immediately.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Level 4 travel notice, the highest in the four-tier system, would go into force on Sunday. Across late January, South Korea issued a Level 3 alert in Ukraine's southern, eastern, and northern regions. The restriction comes amid rising fears that Russia would launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, given that it has deployed soldiers near the two countries borders.

"South Koreans now residing in Ukraine should quickly escape to safe third countries or South Korea through available flights," the ministry said in a statement, adding that those planned to visit Ukraine should also cancel their arrangements. According to the ministry, there are presently 341 South Koreans in Ukraine, including diplomatic workers from Seoul. South Koreans who go to countries or places where there is a Level 4 warning risk being punished under current laws.

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