South Korean oil tanker seized by Iran: the background to the Iranian boarding
The Hankuk Chemi, the South Korean ship seized by Iran.
VIA REUTERS - WANA NEWS AGENCY
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
A South Korean tanker was seized on Monday January 4 in Gulf waters by Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
In a context of renewed tensions with the United States, Tehran claimed that the ship had violated laws on "the marine environment".
But this move would be aimed above all at putting pressure on South Korea to release Iranian funds frozen by Seoul.
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With our correspondent in Seoul
,
Nicolas Rocca
The Hankuk Chemi is the
first ship seized
by Tehran for over a year.
With its twenty crew members and its 7,200 tons of petroleum chemicals, the boat has been accused of chemical pollution by the Revolutionary Guards.
Charges, rejected by the operator of the ship, while videos broadcast on Tuesday, January 5 on Korean television showed at least five stars approaching the tanker on its way to the United Arab Emirates.
This renewed tension in the area comes as South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong Kun is due to visit Tehran next week.
Iran is trying to unlock billions of dollars in funds frozen by Seoul since late 2019 due to US sanctions.
A South Korean warship is located in the strategic area of the Strait of Hormuz, where 70% of the country's oil imports transit.
Seoul opts for the diplomatic route, the Foreign Ministry announced that a government delegation will be sent as soon as possible to Tehran.
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