'Iran Detains Korean Ship' Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons Iranian Ambassador to Korea... Likely to Request Prompt Release of Detention

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to summon the Iranian ambassador to Korea to protest and request the early release of a Korean-flagged vessel bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that was detained by Iranian authorities.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 5th, Ko Kyung-seok, Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau, called in Said Shabestari, the Iranian ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building to inquire about the detention situation and circumstances of the vessel and to request its prompt release.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa said to reporters at the ministry building, "We took initial measures yesterday and are monitoring the situation through the Iranian mission in Korea and the Korean embassy in Iran," adding, "We are making efforts to resolve this situation."

Regarding the analysis that Iran's detention of the Korean vessel is a grievance over the freezing of Iranian Central Bank's won-denominated funds deposited in banks in Korea, she said, "It is not the time to speak prematurely about such matters," emphasizing, "It is urgent to first ascertain the facts and ensure the safety of our crew members."

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