South Korea is extending its travel restriction to all parts of Syria amid escalating violence between the country's protesters and government forces, the foreign ministry said Monday.

Earlier this month, Seoul restricted its people from traveling to Syria's western governorates of Daraa and Latakia after dozens of people were reported killed there in violent government crackdowns.

The Level 3 travel alert, the second-highest level on a four-grade scale, now applies to all of Syria, the ministry said in a release. South Korean nationals are urged to cancel or postpone travel to the country, while those staying there are advised to leave unless there is an emergency.

About 150 South Koreans are estimated to be in Syria for study, business and other purposes. (Yonhap News)