S. Koreans urged to shun all areas near Gaza

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Thursday urged its
nationals to stay away from all areas within 40km of the Gaza Strip where Israeli
troops and Hamas fighters are staging a war.
"A daily average of 50-70 rockets from the Gaza Strip reach as far as southern
Israel, about 40 km away from the Gaza Strip, causing casualties," foreign
ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.
He said the government raised the travel warning level to the third highest, in
which South Koreans are strongly asked to refrain from visiting an affected area.
The measure is not legally binding, however. In the fourth and highest level,
violators would face legal punishment.
South Korea already designated Gaza a travel restricted area in 2006.
Moon added that the government will provide US$300,000 to Palestinian residents
in Gaza via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
South Korea had announced the emergency humanitarian aid on Monday.
"We have decided to deliver the assistance through the ICRC, taking into account
difficulties in accessing the area and the assessment of demand," he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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