The Prime Minister of South Korea Chung Sye-kyun has jetted in Iran with an aim of bringing back the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world super leaders and also free up over $7 billion Iranian cash trapped in South Korea.
This visit makes him the first South Korea Prime Minister to visit Iran in the past 44 years. For those years, Iran and South Korea have never had a stable relationship due to Iran having close ties with North Korea especially in military cooperation.
Tension between the two countries escalated in January after Iran seized a South Korea destined ship together with its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran accused the sailors of polluting the waters.
Iran demanded South Korea to free the $7 billion in assets frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions as a condition for the ship and the sailors to be freed.
A few days ago, Iran released the captain of the ship who was the only remaining member of the detained team of 20 sailors. Following the release, South Korea pledged to help freeing up of the cash.
“The JCPOA negotiations are being pursued constructively and it seems … development of ties and problem resolving are necessary for the wellbeing and advancement of both nations,” said the Prime Minister during an TV interview on Iran State TV IRNA.
