Iran “to get back 1 billion won of frozen assets in Korea”

The Iranian government announced that it would receive about 1 billion dollars (about 1.1 trillion won) out of the 7 billion dollars of frozen funds in Korea. However, since the US approval is essential to lift the frozen funds, interest is drawing on whether the US will allow an exception to sanctions against Iran.

According to foreign media such as Bloomberg on the 23rd (local time), Iranian government spokesman Ali Ravieri said, “Korea has agreed to release Iranian assets whose withdrawals have been frozen from banks in Korea due to US sanctions.” “As a first step, we will get back $1 billion in assets from Iran’s central bank,” said Ravieri. The Iranian government said it would spend 1 billion dollars on the purchase of Corona 19 medicines. The amount of money came out a day after the governor of the Iranian central bank met with Ambassador Yoo Jeong-hyun and agreed to use frozen assets in Korea the day before.

Earlier, the Iranian government has demanded to lift the freeze of crude oil exports tied to Korean commercial bank accounts in the aftermath of US sanctions on Iran. Iran’s funds frozen in Korea are estimated at $7 billion (about 7.78 trillion won).

Analysis is dominant that the reason Iran captured the Korean petrochemical product carrier Korea Chemi in the waters near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz on the 4th of last month is to pressure the lifting of the frozen funds.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs argues that additional consultations with the relevant countries and the international community are necessary as the US sanctions exception to Iran is necessary. Even though the Iranian government is in the process of negotiating, it seems that it is an intentional strategy to press the Korean government through the factualization of the facts.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said on the 23rd, “At the meeting between Ambassador Yoo Jeong-hyun and the governor of Iran’s central bank on the 22nd, there was a basic approach to opinions, such as expressing consent to the plan proposed by the Korean side.” It is necessary to consult with the international community such as related countries.”

A high-ranking official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “In Iran’s announcement, communication with the international community that we need to do to realize this issue together is missing.” “He said.

[안정훈 기자 / 신혜림 기자]
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