The chiefs of South Korean diplomatic missions in the African region will hold meetings next week to discuss ways to enhance maritime security amid escalating tensions in the major shipping route, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Hong Seok-in, ambassador for protection of Korean nationals overseas and consular affairs, is scheduled to fly to Addis Ababa to preside over a meeting with the top South Korean diplomats in the East African region, ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a press briefing. They are expected to discuss the situations unfolding in the Red Sea as tensions are rising after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels began to attack commercial ships passing through the key waterway when the war between Israel and Hamas started. Before traveling to the Ethiopian capital, Hong will stop in Dakar, Senegal, for a meeting with the chiefs of the missions in West Africa. The meeting will focus on discussing measures to strengthen maritime safety for our ships and nationals working in the Gulf of Gui nea ahead of the peak fishing season, Lim added. Source: Yonhap News Agency