'Detained Korean Ship' Iran Prepares Legal Response... Song Young-gil "We Must Gather Wisdom for the Safe Return of Our People"

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reports Current Issues to National Assembly... Emergency Meeting of Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Held on Morning of 6th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is preparing legal measures in response to the detention of a Korean vessel and its crew by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In a briefing submitted to the National Assembly on the 6th, the Ministry stated that one of the countermeasures to resolve the detention incident is preparing legal action. It plans to thoroughly examine the authenticity of Iran's claim that the vessel's detention is related to environmental pollution, the controversy over whether the area is international waters or territorial waters, and whether the boarding process by the Iranian military complied with international law.

The Iranian government conveyed its position that the Korean vessel repeatedly violated marine environmental regulations and that judicial authorities are handling the case, warning against excessive interpretation. However, the shipowner of the 'MT Hanguk Kemiho' denies any marine pollution activities. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Regardless of the legal status of the Korean vessel, unless there is proof of intentional and serious pollution acts that deny innocent passage, it is judged that no violation of international law has occurred."

Song Young-gil, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said at an emergency meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "Let's put aside party lines and unite our efforts to ensure the safe return of our citizens." The meeting was attended by lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong-geon, and Director General of Coordination Planning Lee Ho-sik. He added, "The Iranian Foreign Ministry claims that the issue is not related to the $7 billion frozen in Woori Bank and IBK Industrial Bank, but there is suspicion that this might be the background of the detention." He explained the background of the detention, saying, "There is a retaliatory atmosphere as it marks the first anniversary of the U.S. military's assassination of Soleimani on January 3 last year, and there are suggestions that conflicts exist between the Revolutionary Guard and government authorities as President Rouhani approaches the end of his term."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that it is communicating with Iran through diplomatic channels, including the Iranian Ambassador to Korea and the Korean Ambassador to Iran, facilitating consultations between the chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and the chairman of Iran's Foreign and Security Committee. It is also promoting the dispatch of a working-level delegation and a visit by First Vice Minister Choi Jong-geon. Regarding the local situation, the Korean Embassy in Iran has dispatched a consul to Bandar Abbas, Iran, where the Hanguk Kemiho is detained, to meet with the crew.

The Ministry also announced that it is pursuing cooperation with the international community. It explained that it is working with countries friendly to Iran, such as the United States, Qatar, and Oman, as well as Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The Ministry stated, "Rather than making assumptions based on speculation, we are keeping all possibilities open and focusing our capabilities on resolving the current situation."

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