Korean Student Escapes Tehran Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

As the military conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, a South Korean student who fled Iran has shared his experiences of the dire situation. Jeong Si-hoon (29), a doctoral student at the University of Tehran for the past three years, recounted in an interview on June 19 that he initially thought the bombings would be brief, similar to last year. However, as the attacks continued, he felt compelled to escape. 'I wasn't too shocked at first since there were bombings last year, but the intensity increased day by day, and I began to fear that a bomb could fall on my home,' he stated.

On June 17, Jeong and 20 other South Koreans and Iranian families managed to evacuate to Turkmenistan with government assistance. He described waking up around 3:30 AM on June 13 to the sounds of his startled peers, followed by a text from the South Korean embassy informing him of the commencement of airstrikes in Tehran.

On June 15, after three days of bombings, Jeong rented a car and traveled 450 kilometers south to Isfahan to help a fellow student who was stranded due to the attacks. 'I was on edge seeing the bombed oil facilities during the round trip to Isfahan,' he said, emphasizing the risks he took to assist his friend.

For four days leading up to his escape on June 17, Jeong reported constant drone and fighter jet noises, along with anti-aircraft fire in the skies over Tehran. He noted that unlike last year, the bombings had reached the city center, causing significant damage. Despite the fear, he and his peers tried to lighten the mood with jokes, while many Tehran residents remained surprisingly calm, attempting to maintain their composure.

Although there was no panic buying of food and essential supplies, traffic congestion occurred as many fled south from Tehran. On June 16, the Iranian state broadcaster's live broadcast was interrupted by Israeli airstrikes, prompting citizens to hastily evacuate.

Jeong and four fellow students boarded a bus arranged by the South Korean embassy early on June 17 and traveled for two days, covering 1,200 kilometers to reach the Turkmenistan border by the night of June 18. He expressed a desire to return to Tehran to continue his studies after a brief trip back to South Korea, stating, 'I am sincerely grateful to the South Korean embassy in Iran and Turkmenistan for their dedication to the safety of our community. It has instilled a sense of patriotism in me.'