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[Ilyosisa News] Questions to Chairman Yoon Sukhun, the Expert of Iran about the Seizure of Korean Tanker in Iran
Sun Jan 24 2021 15:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
[Ilyosisa News Coverage Team 1]
Reporter Jang Ji Seon: Seemingly, the conflict between Korea and Iran surrounding the seizure of Korean tanker is likely to last longer than once expected. In search for the cause and solution of the incident, we have interviewed Mr. Yoon Sukhun, the former chairman of Korea-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry(Current Chairman of Asia Economic Development committee).
As far as the conflict between Korea and Iran is concerned, Mr. Yoon Sukhun, the former chairman of Korea-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry(Current Chairman of AEDC, Asia Economic Development Committee), he assumes that the disappointment Iran had on Korea, a country Iran views as its friendly nation, for taking stronger stance than any other nations when it comes to complying with the U.S sanctions has resulted in the current incident.
Q&A
1. The Korean government issued an official statement claiming that the Iranian revolutionary guard seized the Korean tanker.
➢ Technically, unlike what the government is claiming, we cannot say that the tanker was seized. It was in the international water at the moment of the incident, and sailed to the Iranian water voluntarily. There was no use of arms by the Iranian revolutionary guard throughout the process. Importantly, Lee Chun Hee, the CEO of DM Shipping, mentioned in the interview with the press that “the tanker sailed to the Iranian water voluntarily, therefore, technically, it cannot be called seizure.”
2. Why is it important to determine whether the tanker was seized?
➢ If it is confirmed that the tanker was seized, which means a civilian tanker of one nation was forcefully taken by a military force of another nation, the incident can be viewed as a strict violation of international law, particularly, the Geneva convention. Therefore, since there is difference in the two nations’ viewpoint, the nature of the incident must be clarified primarily. That is to say, it is good for Korea not to claim that its tanker was seized. Besides, the owner already mentioned that its tanker was not “seized”, which appears to be the most accurate explanation given so far.
3. What is the root cause of the incident?
➢ The essential cause of the incident is the disappointment that Iran had on Korea. Since June, the Iranian president Dr. Rouhani wrote letters to the president Moon twice. Also, the Iranian government has delivered its intentions clearly to the government of Korea through several different ways, one of them was by summoning Korean ambassador to Iran in November 2019. Nevertheless, the Korean government has done nothing, but leaned on excuses to avoid problems. If we look at the logic behind Korea’s attitude, which basically can be summarized as “there is nothing we can do, because of the U.S sanctions”, from Iran’s perspective, it is likely that Iran would view it as a betrayal of longtime friendship between the two nations.
4. Specifically, could you explain what disappointment does Iran have?
➢ The Iranian Embassy in Korea does not have its official bank account in Korea. It is one of many examples that amounts to the disappointment that Iran has on Korea. This point becomes clearer when we consider that even the U.S, a country that began imposing sanctions against Iran in the first place, allowed Iranian Embassy in New York to open an official bank account at its banks in compliance with Vienna convention. Korea, on the other hand, has been refusing to allow Iran to open a bank account based on inconsistent reasons like the one I mentioned earlier. What would Iran’s reaction towards the Korean government be, when every time they visit Namdaemun local market to exchange currencies.
5. Could you explain more about Iran’s frozen fund in Korea?
➢ Iran must have a lot to say about its frozen fund in Korea. The fund is neither illegal nor political, rather it is rightly earned money through petroleum trade between Korea and Iran. Importing petroleum from Iran was originally banned by the U.S, later, however, it was exceptionally approved by the members of the international community including the U.S through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It was approved and signed by the Obama administration, but later the agreement was abolished by the former president Donald Trump, and Iran’s access to the fund has been denied since then.
6. What would you say about the Korean government’s dispatch of Chung-hae military unit in response to the incident?
➢ Chung-hae unit’s responsibility is to protect Korean ships from the actual threat of pirates in Africa and middle east regions. They did the right thing based on the existing protocols, and there was neither political nor military motives involved in the action. In fact, Chung-hae unit has never engaged in a fight with other nation’s military forces since when it was first deployed to the local area.
7. The deputy minister of foreign affairs Choi Jong Geon returned to Korea from Iran empty-handed, what would you say about this?
➢ It is understandable that the government sent its high officials for negotiation. Of course some raised objections about the delegation’s incompetence, pointing to its unpreparedness that it should have before the visit. But, it is wrong to view the visit as a 100% failure, the government did what they had to do according to its diplomatic protocol, which is to dispatch a person in charge to deal with the matter.
8. Now it seems that the Korean tanker and its crews will be detained longer than expected, what is your view on this?
➢ It is mainly because of the passive attitude of the Korean government. The government officials of Korea are always reluctant to do anything that takes much effort. It feels like talking to a wall when having a conversation with them. Iran is outraged by the attitude of the Korean government, who Iran believes to be its old friend, because, the government has been inconsistently making excuses based on the U.S sanctions. The incident may take much longer period of time to solve than anyone could expect depending on what kind of stance the government will take.
9. Will the crews be safe?
➢ We should not be too worried about the crew’s safety if we look at the relationship between Korea and Iran. Currently, it is experiencing some emotional conflict, but it is not hostile. If there is one thing that concerns me with respect to the safety of crews, it would be COVID-19.
10. How is the overall situation in Iran?
➢ Iran has been subject to sanctions since the collapse of Pahlavi dynasty. With the inauguration of the president Donald Trump, it had to face the stronger sanctions than any other U.S administrations in recent history has ever imposed. Therefore, Iran’s economy has been experiencing many difficulties. The U.S should have supported the president Rouhani, who is known to be a moderate. It would have helped Iran open up its border and mind. Unfortunately, the U.S did the opposite thing, which made Iran’s disbelief on the U.S grew even larger.
11. On 20th, the Biden administration took the office of presidency. What influence would this change have on the current issue?
➢ Unlike the former president Trump, the president Biden believes in multilateralism, especially when it comes to diplomacy. During Obama administration, then vice president Biden handled all negotiations with Iran throughout the course of signing the nuclear agreement. So he knows Iran well. Because, the president Biden is a multilateralist, who also believes in parliamentarism, it is reasonable to believe that he will listen to opinions of many nations and people.
12. How should the Korean government modify its approaches through Iran policy to solve this problem?
➢ First, the Korean government must be more serious about this issue. If we look at the issue in Iran’s perspective, we may find an answer. We must always be serious and approach with sincerity when it comes to dealing with not only diplomacy, but also businesses and human relations even in times of conflict. We should not be too calculative about the issue. It is not about fighting to win, but to understand and solve the problem.
13. Can we employ anything learned from the past diplomatic experience?
➢ The Korean government must employ what it learned from the experience in establishing diplomatic relationship with China. On 23rd of August, 1992, a day before forming a diplomatic tie with China, the Korean government unilaterally informed Taiwan, Korea’s close ally at the moment, about its diplomatic stance, and established relationship with China. Subsequently, Korea’s trade with Taiwan was suspended, and its economic losses were massive. On the other hand, China has been consistently engaging in deep conversation with North Korea. Then Chinese president Jiang Ze Min met with then president of North Korea Kim Il Sung multiple times to persuade and explain about China’s diplomatic stance. As you can see, the Chinese government took a completely different approaches compared to the Korean government.
14. The Korean government is considering dispatching a special envoy as its next move. What is your opinion about this?
➢ In order to solve this issue, multiple approaches from different angles are needed. Dispatching a special envoy may be a good option, however I do not believe that it will bring out huge differences. When the prime minister Lee Hae Chan was deployed to China to deal with matters related to THAAD, he returned empty- handed. Can anything deep inside mind be discussed in front of a camera? I doubt it. In this case, we must make good use of personal ties with Iran. Dispatching a secret envoy, particularly a person who Iran is familiar with, and having a deeper conversation would be a lot more helpful than dispatching a special envoy.
15. Would you like to say anything to readers who are not so familiar with Iran?
➢ Iranian people share a similar tradition with us. They value families, live with parents as they age, and they respect elderly. The tie between Korea and Iran began since the kingdom of Silla in Korean peninsula. There is a story about a queen of Silla helping to found a Persian empire in Iranian history. We have had a long-lasting relationship with Iran. I hope Korea and Iran can get over this hardship wisely and enjoy an opportunity to further develop the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
[original article]
http://www.ilyosisa.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=225257

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