South Korea has raised its warning level for South Korean travelers to Haiti on Thursday, after the country was struck by a strong earthquake two days ago, the government said.

The country now places Haiti under the third level of foreign ministry's four-level travel advisories, up from the previous second level, indicating higher risks in the region.

Under the current level, the government discourages South Korean travelers to the region and advises South Korean nationals to return home, according to the foreign ministry.

The ministry cited further quake-related risks, worsening security situations, a possible spread of contagious diseases as the reasons for raising the alert level.

The move comes after the Haiti was struck on Tuesday by the powerful earthquake with a magnitude estimated at 7.0, followed by a series of aftershocks.

Earlier Thursday, the ministry announced that some 70 South Koreans in Haiti have been confirmed to be all alive and S. Korea will send humanitarian assistance worth US$1 million including emergency supplies and relief workers to the country.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2010)