Government to Dispatch Negotiation Delegation for Iranian Detained Sailors on the 7th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyung-soo] The government delegation will depart early on the 7th to negotiate the early release of Korean vessels and crew members detained in Iran.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has finalized negotiations with Iran to dispatch a working-level delegation led by Ko Kyung-seok, Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau. The delegation will enter Tehran, Iran, using a flight departing from Incheon International Airport at 00:35 on the 7th.

The Iranian government expressed that there was no need for the Korean delegation to visit, but the government decided to send the delegation through consultations.

The delegation plans to negotiate with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others. They will verify the facts regarding the environmental regulation violations claimed by Iran. It is expected that they will determine whether the vessel detention is a technical issue as the Iranian government asserts, or if other motives, including dissatisfaction over frozen funds, are involved.

Currently, a total of 20 crew members are detained at Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran. Five of them hold Korean nationality.

On the 10th, Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister, will depart for Iran. Vice Minister Choi is expected to discuss the early release of the crew members as well as issues related to frozen funds with the Iranian government.

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