Gov't seeks reason behind Iran's tanker seizure

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, center, arrives at the ministry in Seoul, Tuesday, one day after a Korea-flagged tanker was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the Gulf waters. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

The government is searching for clues as to why Iran seized a Korean oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, Monday, and is seeking ways to promptly bring back the 20 crewmembers, including five Koreans, who have been arrested.

The incident is regarded as unusual given that ahead of the seizure Tehran and Seoul had been talking about a visit by the Korean deputy foreign minister to the country to discuss pending bilateral issues, including Iranian assets frozen here due to U.S. sanctions. Thus it is raising questions as to whether Iran has ulterior motives for the action.

According to the foreign ministry, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps seized the MT Hankuk Chemi that was carrying 7,200 tons of ethanol in Gulf waters for causing "environmental pollution." DM Shipping, the operator of the ship, denied the allegation.

Despite the seizure, the foreign ministry said Tuesday that First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun will visit the Iranian capital, Sunday, during which the diplomat is expected to negotiate for the release of the crew and the tanker with Iranian officials.

"Irrespective of the seizure, the deputy minister will fly to Iran, Sunday," a ministry official said.

The ministry expects that Choi will discuss the issue as well as other pending matters, if it remains unsettled by the time of his trip.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha also told reporters, earlier in the day, that diplomatic efforts were under way for the prompt release of the crewmembers through the Iranian Embassy in Korea and the Korean Embassy in Iran.

The foreign ministry also called in Iranian Ambassador Saeed Badamchi Shabestari to express regret and call for an early release of the ship and its crew.

The seizure comes as Iran has complained about the Korean government's failure to release $7 billion (7.6 trillion won) in funds held in two Korean banks due to U.S. sanctions re-imposed in 2018 after President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 multinational nuclear pact. Last July, the Iranian foreign ministry threatened Korea with legal action at the International Court of Justice.

In response to the speculation here, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said late Tuesday, "We are not hostage-takers. But if there is any hostage-taking, it is Korea's government that is holding $7 billion, which belongs to us, hostage on baseless grounds."

He added that the seizure was based on a court order after the ship had repeatedly caused oil pollution. The Korean foreign ministry also said the seizure was due to alleged pollution issues.

In addition, the incident occurred on the same day the Iranian government announced it had resumed uranium enrichment to the 20 percent level at an underground facility ― a breach of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Diplomatic experts questioned the timing of the vessel seizure, citing the result of the U.S. presidential election.

"The current circumstances are not unfavorable enough for Iran to take a tough stance against Korea in terms of the frozen assets, given that Joe Biden won the election and vowed to rejoin the nuclear deal. Iran also understands that Korea cannot act independently, while the U.S. sanctions are in effect," said Park Won-gon, a professor of international politics at Handong Global University.

The ministry official backed up Park's speculation, saying that the Iranian ambassador indicated during his visit earlier in the day that the seizure had nothing to do with the frozen assets.

The professor said the issue is likely to remain manageable instead of spiraling toward a full-blown diplomatic crisis.

"If the Iranian government really wanted to give a strong warning to Korea, it could have held the crew on charges of espionage. In that sense, there is room for resolving the issue," he said, adding that the deputy minister's visit will help gain the release of the crew and the ship.

In response to the seizure, Korea's anti-piracy unit has begun operations in waters near the strait, according to the defense ministry, Tuesday.

In addition, the U.S. State Department urged Iran, also on Monday (local time), to immediately release the tanker, claiming that it is attempting to force the international community to remove sanctions on the country.

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