South Korea asked its people staying in southern Turkey near the border with Syria to leave the area, an official said Friday, the latest in a series of warnings amid a worsening security situation.

   The foreign ministry recommended South Koreans who are staying within 10 kilometers of the border with Syria to immediately leave for safe areas, according to the ministry official.

   The move comes as the security situation is worsening in border areas due to the U.S-led airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

   South Korea's foreign ministry has already issued a warning to its people in Turkey's southeast and other areas. It has also banned its people from traveling to Syria.

   Earlier this week, the foreign ministry announced a plan to provide an additional US$1 million in humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees on top of its $5 million contribution made earlier this year. (Yonhap)