Government Working-Level Delegation Departs for Iran on the 7th to Discuss Overall Cooperation for Resolving Detention Issues

"Technical Issues Claimed by Iran and Data Exchange Requests"... Preliminary Discussions Held Ahead of Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-geon's Visit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] A government working delegation departed early on the 7th to Iran, which has detained a South Korean-flagged vessel.

The working delegation, led by Ko Kyung-seok, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Africa and Middle East Bureau, departed Incheon International Airport early that morning and is scheduled to travel to Tehran via Doha, Qatar.

Before departure, Director Ko told reporters, "We will meet with our counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, if it can help resolve the vessel detention issue, we plan to meet Iranian officials through various channels."

He added, "We will request evidence and data exchange regarding the technical issues claimed by Iran," noting that the Iranian side, which alleges that the detained South Korean vessel violated environmental regulations, has not presented concrete evidence.

Director Ko will also conduct preliminary consultations related to the upcoming visit to Iran by First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-geon, scheduled for a 2-night, 3-day trip starting on the 10th. He stated that they will discuss bilateral issues such as the purchase of vaccines using Iran's frozen funds currently held in South Korea.

Regarding the current situation of the detained crew members, he reported, "Our consul on site has met with the detained crew and has confirmed from the Iranian prosecution that at least minimal communication will be guaranteed."

The four-member working delegation, led by the Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau, plans to assess the detention situation on site in Iran and negotiate with key counterparts for the prompt release of the detained vessel, the "Hanguk Chemiho," and the 20 crew members, including five Koreans.

However, concerns have arisen as the Iranian side expressed before the delegation's departure that no separate visit by the South Korean government is necessary regarding the vessel detention.

On the 5th (local time), an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the vessel detention issue is subject to legal procedures of their judicial authorities and that a diplomatic visit is not required, adding that no schedule for a separate visit by the South Korean government has been agreed upon.

Meanwhile, the 20 crew members are currently detained at Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran. Three staff members from the South Korean Embassy in Iran have arrived at the port to check on the safety of our nationals and crew and to provide consular assistance.

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