The South Korean Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has issued a safety alert for all local Korean residents due to escalating antigovernment protests that have turned violent.

The embassy, currently operating in emergency mode, summoned ethnic Korean group representatives on Thursday to alert the 800 or so Korean residents in the country to stay at home at night and to keep all doors locked.

AFP news agency earlier reported bloodshed as local police fired shots at antigovernment protestors who were calling for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is believed to have fled the capital Bishkek.