The South Korean government has urged its nationals residing Myanmar to leave the country unless required to be there on urgent matters amid the junta’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

The Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it also asked them not to go back to the Southeast Asian country unless the situation significantly improves.  

The ministry said it may increase the frequency of chartered flights between Yangon and Incheon if necessary from one or two times a week to three times a week starting this month to facilitate their swift return. 

The measures were announced after an employee at the Yangon branch of Seoul-based Shinhan Bank was shot and taken to a hospital amid a wave of pro-democracy protests. The lender temporarily shut down operations at the branch and advised its other workers to stay at home.

According to the ministry, around 370 South Koreans staying in Myanmar already returned to South Korea between February 1 and Wednesday. 

The ministry plans to review whether to further raise its travel advisory regarding Myanmar, pending the assessment of developments in the country.