FM Spokesman:

South Korean Tanker Seized for Technical Problem

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh criticized Seoul’s recent reaction to the seizure of its oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, stressing that the tanker has been seized for technical issues and that his country, like all other countries, is very sensitive to safeguarding the sea environment against pollution.

News ID: 82860

Date: 06 January 2021 - 21:21

"The Korean government's behavior in this regard is incomprehensible and rejected. We urge the Korean government to deal with the technical issue rationally and responsibly," Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday, adding that Iran attaches high importance to preservation of its sea environment.

“The Ports and Maritime Organization, as the body in charge of sea environment, is planning to provide the necessary assistance to the tanker and its crew and will release the necessary information in this regard,” he noted.

The spokesman reiterated that the Korean deputy foreign minister is slated to visit Tehran in near future but there is no agreement for a separate visit between the two countries, as the issue in underway on a clear legal path and does not require a diplomatic trip.

On Monday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that it had stopped a South Korean-flagged ship for environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf, adding that the ship has been taken to a port in Southern Iran.

“The South Korean tanker was stopped in the waters of the Persian Gulf environmental pollution and after neglecting warnings,” the IRGC Navy said, noting that the tanker has been taken to Iran's port of Bandar Abbas for further action.

"The tanker, HANKUK CHEMI, carrying 7,200 tons of oil chemicals had been violating environmental protocols repeatedly since it set off from the Saudi Al-Jobail port," it added, and said the case with the tanker will be referred to the Iranian judiciary now.

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, an official with the Ports and Marine Organization of Iran said that a South Korean tanker, which was impounded in the Persian Gulf waters on Monday, must be held accountable for environmental damage it has inflicted on the Persian Gulf.

“The Korean ship [Hankuk Chemi] has been seized for repeated violations of environmental laws, and it must pay compensation for the damage to the environment,” Chairman of the Shipping Association of Iran Masoud Polmeh said on Tuesday.