The government has decided to increase the number of flights that are being operated to transport South Koreans out of Egypt amid escalating political unrest in the North African country.

The Foreign Ministry says it plans to increase special Korean Air flights to assist in the safe return of South Korean residents and tourists in Egypt.

Currently, some 900 South Koreans are estimated to be living in Egypt. A group of some 70 members of the Korea International Cooperation Agency who were taking part in volunteer work in Egypt will return to Seoul on Wednesday after departing from Cairo on Tuesday.

The South Korean Embassy in Cairo is keeping South Korean residents informed about developments regarding the political upheaval and has urged Koreans to refrain from leaving their homes.