In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that Lee sent the letters the previous day to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Qatar's Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Al and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
In his letter to Takaichi, Lee expressed gratitude for Japan allowing about a dozen South Koreans to board Japanese‑chartered flights from Saudi Arabia, and Oman, enabling them to safely arrive in Japan.
"I am glad that the friendship between our two countries has grown even stronger through cooperation in the Middle East," Lee wrote, adding that he hopes to "continue working even more closely to protect the lives and safety of our citizens."
Lee thanked Qatar for arranging an emergency flight in Doha, which helped about 322 South Koreans arrive safely in Incheon earlier last week. Lee said Qatar's active support demonstrated the close ties between the two countries as "comprehensive strategic partners," and expressed hope that discussions would continue on ways to expand cooperation.
Lee also conveyed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its cooperation last weekend, which helped about 204 South Koreans return home from Riyadh aboard a South Korean military transport aircraft.
According to Kang, Lee previously sent similar letters to Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for their assistance in helping South Koreans leave high-risk areas in the Middle East.
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