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The Iranian Embassy in Korea sent a statement today (18th) in response to President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks that "the United Arab Emirates' enemy is Iran."
Previously, our foreign ministry had already explained its position and said that the Iranian side seemed to understand, but the Iranian embassy said it was still waiting for an explanation.
Reporter Kim A-young reports.
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This is the statement sent by the Iranian Embassy in Korea to the press in the name of the Office of Public Diplomacy at around 4:00 pm today.
Iran maintains historic and friendly relations with the Persian Gulf countries, and in recent months has been developing relations with its second trading partner, the United Arab Emirates.
At the same time, the embassy added that it is seriously reviewing President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks, is keeping a close eye on it, and is waiting for an explanation from the Korean government.
Yesterday, SBS asked for Iran's position in relation to President Yoon's remarks that the UAE's enemy was Iran, and the answer came a day later.
It is noticeable that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still asking for an explanation from our side, although it is a refined expression compared to what it called intrusive remarks or diplomatically inappropriate in yesterday's statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that it has conveyed our government's position, saying that there is no change in our government's will to develop relations with Iran.
[Lim Su-seok/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Yesterday): We have clearly explained our position.
I think Iran is well aware of the purpose of our remarks.]
It may be that the Iranian embassy's response was delivered to the domestic media belatedly due to the time difference with the home country, but it may also reflect the Iranian government's uncomfortable feeling that the Korean government's explanation is not sufficient.
An official from the Iranian embassy in Korea explained that it was only stated again to refer to Iran's position.
(Video coverage: Park Young-il, video editing: Chae Cheol-ho)