Korean Oil Tanker Heading to UAE Seized by Iran...Government Requests Early Release (Comprehensive)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Cheonghae Unit Moving to Incident Area"
Seized in Gulf Waters, Iran Revolutionary Guard Claims "Repeated Violations of Marine Environmental Regulations by Vessel"
About 20 Crew Including 5 Koreans Onboard... Shipping Company Claims "Seized in International Waters, No Environmental Pollution"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] A South Korean-flagged oil tanker traveling from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Gulf region (Persian Gulf). The South Korean government is monitoring the detention situation of the vessel, confirming the safety of the crew, and requesting the early release of the ship.

Major foreign news agencies such as AP and AFP reported on the 4th (local time), citing Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency. Fars News Agency stated, "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a South Korean vessel in the Gulf region and moved it to port," adding, "The oil tanker was flying the South Korean flag and was seized due to oil pollution and environmental risks."

Subsequently, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that around 10 a.m. that day, they seized the South Korean oil tanker 'Hanguk Kemi' in the Gulf region, explaining that "the vessel repeatedly violated marine environmental regulations." They added, "This seizure was carried out at the request of the Hormuz Province prosecutor's office and the port authority, and the case will be handled by judicial authorities."

Earlier, the ship information site 'Marine Traffic' reported that the South Korean-flagged oil tanker 'MT-Hanguk Kemi' was detected in Iranian territorial waters. AP News reported that the vessel was en route from Saudi Arabia to Fujairah in the UAE, and the shipowner is DM Shipping, based in Busan.

However, the shipowner, Hanguk Kemi, claimed that the area where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps made contact was in international waters and denied any environmental pollution as reported by local media. According to the shipowner, the vessel had about 20 crew members on board, including 5 South Koreans, 11 Myanmar nationals, 2 Indonesians, and 2 Vietnamese.

Choi Young-ham

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Iran are gathering detailed information and requesting the Iranian authorities for the early release of the vessel. A Foreign Ministry official stated, "On the afternoon of the 4th, it was confirmed that a South Korean-flagged vessel navigating near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz was moving into Iranian waters following a request for investigation by Iranian authorities," adding, "We are confirming detailed information regarding the detention, ensuring the safety of the crew, and requesting the early release of the vessel."

The official continued, "Currently, the Cheonghae Unit (Choi Young ship) is moving to the accident area and has taken safety measures for our vessels navigating nearby."

Iran is currently experiencing heightened anti-American sentiment on the first anniversary of the death of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. attack. On the 2nd, Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, visiting the stationed troops on Abu Musa Island, declared, "We will respond firmly and powerfully to any hostile acts by the enemy." In response, the U.S. deployed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and Ohio-class nuclear submarines to the Gulf region and dispatched B-52 strategic nuclear bombers in preparation for potential Iranian retaliation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.