Choi Jong-geon, 1st Vice Foreign Minister, Korea-Iran Vice Foreign Ministers Meeting... Emphasizing Resolution of Frozen Funds

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 4th (local time), Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, in Tehran and discussed issues including the frozen Iranian won funds in South Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 5th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Vice Minister Choi is visiting Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, the 13th President of Iran.

Vice Minister Choi stated, “South Korea has made exceptional efforts to resolve the frozen funds issue,” and added, “Based on this, I hope that we will work together to strengthen bilateral relations even after the launch of the Raisi administration.”

Marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Vice Minister Choi expressed hope for expanded exchanges and invited the next Iranian Foreign Minister to visit South Korea.

Deputy Minister Araghchi emphasized, “We appreciate South Korea’s will and efforts to build a friendly relationship with the new Iranian government,” and “We hope the frozen funds issue will be resolved soon.”

The two deputy ministers exchanged views on recent developments in the negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and agreed to continue close communication efforts based on their shared recognition that the restoration of the JCPOA is essential for the rapid development of bilateral relations.

Vice Minister Choi promised that the government will continue to provide support for the JCPOA restoration efforts among the relevant parties.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Choi also met with Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary-General of the European Union (EU) External Action Service, who is visiting Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony, and both sides agreed to continue their ongoing cooperation for the restoration of the JCPOA.

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