Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Monday called for the safety of troops dispatched overseas to be put as the top priority, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. Ahn made the remarks while presiding over a meeting to assess the situation surrounding the Middle East and inspect the safety of Korean troops dispatched overseas, including in the United Arab Emirates, South Sudan, Lebanon and Somalia. "While ensuring the safety of troops deployed there as the top priority, refrain from external activities and make every effort to maintain a full readiness posture within the base to ensure immediate response to any contingency," Ahn was quoted as saying. He also called on the troops to ensure a 24-hour response system against any threats and to be "thoroughly" prepared to help South Korean nationals abroad flee to safety, if the need arises. The meeting was attended by some 40 senior officials of the ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as commanders of dispatched troops overseas via video calls. During the meeting, the defense minist