Foreign Affairs Committee Holds Emergency Meeting on 'Iran Seizure'... "Ruling and Opposition Parties' Best Efforts for Safe Return of Citizens"

An emergency briefing is being held on the 6th at the National Assembly to report on the situation regarding the detention of our vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures regarding the seizure of the Korean-flagged vessel 'Hanguk Chemiho' by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Both ruling and opposition parties agreed on the need to pool wisdom for the safe return of the citizens.

On the 6th, Song Young-gil, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to explain the situation so far, saying, "Let us put aside party lines and unite our efforts to ensure the safe return of our citizens." Lawmakers from both sides, along with Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Ho-sik, Director of Coordination Planning, attended the meeting.

He explained the background of the seizure, stating, "The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that the issue is not related to the frozen $7 billion in Woori Bank and IBK Industrial Bank, but there is suspicion that this is indeed the background of the seizure. There is also a retaliatory atmosphere due to the first anniversary of the U.S. military's assassination of Soleimani on January 3 last year, and some point out that there may be conflicts between President Rohani, nearing the end of his term, and the Revolutionary Guard and government authorities."

The main cause is said to be the freezing of $7 billion in oil payments to comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran. Chairman Song said, "Since the last National Assembly, we have consistently pointed out the issue of the $7 billion in Iranian oil payments, and the government is also negotiating with the U.S. side to purchase medical supplies worth over $10 million to provide to Iran," adding, "Iran is not satisfied and is expressing dissatisfaction."

Kim Seok-ki, the opposition party's secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the People Power Party, said, "We will do our best beyond party lines to ensure the safe return of our citizens," but criticized the government, saying, "The government's most important duty is to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, but what the Moon Jae-in administration has shown so far is that many citizens have not been protected by the government and have died or are dying unjustly."

Kim pointed out, "Last year, even when a citizen was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers in the West Sea and the body was burned, cries for help were ignored, and an unfortunate incident occurred where COVID-19 was confirmed among inmates at the Eastern Detention Center," calling it "an act close to murder due to the government's officials' negligent intent in management responsibility."

He added, "The Moon administration should have all ministries, including foreign affairs and defense, work together for the prompt and safe return of our citizens," and requested, "Foreign Ministry officials should report in detail what instructions and measures have been taken after reporting to the president to save our citizens' lives."

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