1. In response to the worsening public security situation in Venezuela of late, the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Korea has decided to raise the travel-alert level of Yellow Alert (Highly Cautious) for parts of Venezuela to a temporary (one-week, automatically extendable) “special travel advisory,” effective from July 30.

* Currently, Yellow Alert is in place in the parts of Venezuela other than those –the states of Zulia, Tachira, Merida and Barinas -- placed under Red Alert (Travel Restricted).

° With anti-government protests intensifying and spreading across Venezuela after first breaking out in April, physical clashes have been occurring between anti-riot squads and anti-government protesters, causing public insecurity across the country.

° The “special travel advisory” is tantamount to the travel-alert level of “Red Alert (Travel Restricted),” which calls for leaving the designated area(s) unless there are urgent matters to attend to; and cancelling or postponing, if possible, the plan to visit the area(s).

2. The Korean nationals planning to visit Venezuela are advised to cancel or postpone their plans for the time being unless there are urgent matters to attend to. Those staying for an extended time in or having to visit the country are asked to pay serious heed to their safety.

3. The Foreign Ministry will review whether to keep the special travel advisory in place after monitoring the public security situation in Venezuela.


* unofficial translation