The UAE flew dozens South Koreans and Iranians out of Iran this week as part of a humanitarian operation. The 74 South Koreans, who are residents of Iran, and a family of six Iranians were flown out of Tehran aboard a chartered flight. They landed at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on Wednesday night. The South Korean passengers were subsequently boarded onto an Asiana flight to Incheon International Airport in their home country. The operation was conducted at the request of the South Korean government, reported state news agency Wam. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, spoke withh South Korean President Moon Jae-in on March 5. During the call, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE was ready to support and assist South Korea in their fight against Covid-19. Four days later, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, spoke to South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to discuss bilateral relations and efforts to curb the virus’ spread. Wednesday's evacuation was carried out "in co-ordination with the competent authorities and the General Civil Aviation Authority," Wam reported. This month, the UAE flew hundreds of students and their families, mostly from Arab countries, out of Hubei Province, in co-operation with the Chinese government. The governments of the 215 foreign nationals had asked the UAE for assistance to help get their citizens out of the epicentre of the outbreak. They were brought to Abu Dhabi on board a chartered Etihad flight to stay at Emirates Humanitarian City for two weeks under quarantine. This week, it was revealed that the students completed their quarantine period, having tested negative for Covid-19 at least four times.
