Iran pays unpaid UN contributions to Korea as frozen funds

Input 2021.02.03 18:07

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and US Talks… Review of currency exchange plans in foreign financial markets
“The sincerity of solving the frozen fund problem was an opportunity for Iran to feel”

It is expected that the United Nations contributions that Iran could not pay will be paid for the export of oil from Iran, which is frozen in South Korea. It was reported on the 3rd that Korea and the United States had almost finished discussions on such a plan. The Iranian government released the detained sailors the day before, which seems to have influenced our government’s efforts.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with reporters on this day and said that “there is almost a solution,” regarding Iran’s payment of the United Nations contributions using frozen funds in the country. The consultation is over, and only the technical part needs consultation.”

According to the United Nations, the minimum contribution Iran must pay to maintain the right to vote in the General Assembly as a member of the United Nations is $16.25 million (about 18 billion won). This is not large compared to about $7 billion (7.8 trillion won) of oil exports from Iran, which are currently frozen at the IBK and Woori Bank of Korea due to US sanctions against Iran.

Earlier, Iran requested the South Korean government to pay a share in the frozen won. However, there were concerns that sanctions could be imposed if it goes through the US financial network in the process of converting won into dollars and remittance to the United Nations. The government has consulted with the United States to ensure that the contribution is not frozen, and is known to be considering ways to convert money into dollars in foreign financial markets. In addition to contributions, the government is discussing with the United States on ways to expand humanitarian trade with Iran using frozen funds.

The official said that the progress of the ante problem “provoked (Iran) to feel our sincerity in solving the frozen fund problem.” “Our sincerity was passed on to the Iranian leadership through the first Vice Minister Choi Jong-gun’s visit and diplomatic communication.” Told.

The Iranian government decided to release most of the crew of the Korean Chemie, who had been detained for about a month the previous day. The Iranian government continues to detain ships for marine pollution investigations, and that one captain must remain during this period. Of the 20 Korean Chemi crew members, the number of returnees has not been confirmed. It is unclear when the released sailors will return home due to the corona situation.

The official said, “Iran is in a position to release all the crew and to terminate the judicial procedure as soon as possible for the ship to be released.” Since the shipping company may find it difficult to manage the ship with only one captain, the government is discussing whether to leave additional sailors.