According to South Korean media reports, the South Korean national team, coached by Robert Moreno, is planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for friendly matches in November. However, a recent missile attack on the international airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, has caused casualties and attracted widespread attention.

With South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs having raised the travel advisory for the entire country of Saudi Arabia to Level 3, urging citizens to consider leaving, concerns are growing over whether the national team should proceed with its scheduled away trip.

A Korea Football Association (KFA) official told South Korean media on the 12th that the schedule for the November international window remains under consideration. “The association is currently exploring various alternative options and conducting a comprehensive assessment from multiple perspectives,” the official said.

The KFA has yet to finalize its schedule for the November international fixtures. However, Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh recently reported that Saudi Arabia is set to play two friendly matches against Uzbekistan and South Korea during the November international window, significantly increasing the likelihood of South Korea traveling to the kingdom.

According to the newspaper, “During the international window from November 9 to 17, Saudi Arabia will play two friendly matches against Uzbekistan and South Korea. The Saudi team will decide whether to establish a training camp at Imam University Stadium in Riyadh, where preparations for the matches will also take place.”

South Korea is also expected to play another friendly against a different opponent in the Middle East. If the proposed away trip to Saudi Arabia is confirmed, the team will have to travel to the region amid growing instability.

Tensions between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia have continued to escalate, leaving the regional security situation highly volatile. On the 11th, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was reportedly attacked, leaving at least 12 people dead and 309 injured.

The incident is said to be the deadliest attack in terms of casualties suffered by a Gulf state since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran broke out in February this year.

The potential trip to Saudi Arabia in November is not South Korea’s only concern. With the Asian Cup scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next January, worsening tensions in the Middle East have also raised questions about whether the tournament can proceed as planned.

Following the airport attack, successive flight cancellations have cast further doubt on Saudi Arabia’s ability to host international sporting events. Relevant South Korean government agencies are also closely monitoring developments in the region.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised its citizens: “South Korean nationals currently staying in Saudi Arabia are urged to leave the country as soon as possible, except for essential matters. Travelers planning to visit Saudi Arabia should cancel or postpone their trips.”

The advisory effectively urges South Korean residents in Saudi Arabia to leave as soon as possible and calls on those planning to travel there to cancel their trips.

According to the draw for the Asian Cup, which is scheduled to begin on January 7 next year, South Korea has been placed in Group E alongside Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. Its second and third group-stage matches are scheduled to take place in Riyadh.

If South Korea advances to the knockout stage as group winners, its round-of-16 and quarter-final matches are also scheduled to be held in Riyadh. Should the current instability in Saudi Arabia persist, hosting and participating in the tournament could pose significant security risks.

Although the schedule for November’s international fixtures has yet to be finalized, the KFA’s concerns and deliberations are likely to continue for some time.