Sources “A Billion Dollar Request Isn’t Yesterday Today”
A sure way to bypass US sanctions net is the key
“Is it treated as a pirate” against the movement of the Cheonghae unit
Iran’s Ambassador to Korea, Said Badamchi Shavestari, who was imprisoned in connection with the detention of oil tankers, is entering the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. yunhap news
It was found that the Iranian government even sent a letter from the president to the South Korean government asking for 1 billion dollars (about 180 billion won) of the frozen crude oil exports to be spent on the purchase of medical equipment such as vaccines. It is compressed that it is currently Iran’s request for the first Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong-Geon, who is leaving for Iran on the 10th, to come with a safe remittance plan that is not subject to US sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is considering’creative measures’ in this regard.
President Hassan Rohany sends two personal letters
Iranian President Hassan Rohany attends a video conference on economic projects in Tehran’s office on the 7th (local time). yunhap news
A domestic source who is familiar with the recent currents between Korea and Iran said in a call with the Hankook Ilbo on the 7th, “Iran has been eagerly inquiring about how to get back its own funds tied to Korea for the purchase of medicines since last year.” It is reported that President Hasan Rohany also sent personal letters to President Moon twice to inform him of the urgent need to purchase medical supplies. A source said, “The Korean side only said,’I will do my best,’ but the regret has been amplified recently because it was unable to present a specific plan.” In Iran, more than 55,000 people have died from the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) so far. However, on the 5th, the source explained that it is “unclear” as to whether the reason for the capture of the Korean chemical carrier’Korea Chemie’ was because of this.
Currently, about 7 billion dollars (7.6 trillion won) of Iranian crude oil exports has been frozen in the Korean won account in the name of the Central Bank of Iran opened at Woori Bank and IBK Industrial Bank. It is a measure under sanctions against the United States, which was restored in 2018. In response to the Iranian government’s request to return it, the South Korean government was considering a plan to pay the frozen funds to Iran in the name of humanitarian aid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that it is promoting a method of purchasing vaccines worth 10 million to 20 million dollars on proxy through’CoVax Facility’, an international vaccine joint purchase organization, and has also obtained special approval from the US government.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Remittance “Contemplating Creative Plan”
Go Gyeong-seok, head of the Middle East African Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is leaving the country on the night of the 6th to discuss the issue of ships and crew detained in Iran. The working-level delegation plans to conduct bilateral negotiations with Iran on the issue of lifting the detention of 20 sailors, including the Korea Chemi, a chemical carrier, and five Korean citizens in Iran. News 1
However, the Iranian side is concerned about the possibility of freezing again in the process of converting won funds into dollars at US banks and remittances to Kovacs. Iran is concerned that the moment Iranian money enters the US bank, it will be frozen again under US Treasury sanctions. Sources pointed out that “the role of Deputy Minister Choi Jong-gun, who will eventually contact Iran, is very important.” If Vice Minister Choi proposes a remittance plan to avoid US sanctions during his visit to Iran, the issue of Iran’s capture of Korean vessels could also be resolved positively, but in the opposite case, the raging atmosphere in Iran against South Korea could worsen. It’s a story.
In this regard, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are considering various creative measures (to be presented to Iran).” In the case of remittances for humanitarian purposes, the US guarantees an exception to sanctions, or remittances through euro currency exchange are discussed. The amount that has been demanded until recently is $1 billion, and the possibility of asking for a larger sum in this negotiation cannot be ruled out.
The Iranian side is also dissatisfied with the movement of the Cheonghae unit to the waters near the capture after the capture of the Korean chemical carrier’Korea Chemie’ on the 4th. A source said, “Iran’s position that it is a legal action against Korean ships in response to the alleged marine pollution is stubborn. However, the South Korean side has been suspicious of’there is no intention to receive money’, and even warships have moved, so there is a lot of antipathy about treating themselves as pirates.” He said.
Youngbin Jo reporter [email protected]
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