Iran, Korea tout revived ties on Islamic Revolution Day
The Iranian Embassy in Seoul and South Korea's Foreign Ministry touted the revival of bilateral ties at an event commemorating Iran's Islamic Revolution Day in Seoul on Monday.
Iran became an Islamic republic after the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's last ruling royal family reigned for about 53 years from 1925 to 1979.
Delivering his remarks at the event, Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi introduced Iran's foreign policy priorities, ties with South Korea, economic diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
"Iran has expanded its multilateral interactions with regional organizations such as BRICS, (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), (Economic Cooperation Organization) and D-8 as we seek a stronger and prosperous region for all' Koozechi underscored.
ECO, founded in 1985 in Tehran by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, is a Eurasian intergovernmental body promoting development, trade, and investment. D-8 is an economic cooperation organization comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
According to Koozechi, long-lasting historical, cultural and economic ties between Iran and Korea have maintained a suitable platform to expand cooperation and interactions.
'The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea have always maintained friendly and constructive relations," said Koozechi.
Iran and South Korea began diplomatic relations in 1962.
The relationship was amicable up to the extent that in 2010, both countries created a currency-based settlement system that enabled Iran to export oil to South Korea and use the proceeds for imports.
Between 2015 and 2018, South Korea was Iran's third-largest importer. However, in 2019, US sanctions led to the freezing of the settlement account, trapping $7 billion of Iranian oil revenue in South Korean banks and disrupting exports to Iran.
The issue was resolved in August 2023 when Iran's frozen funds in South Korean banks were released following a US-Iran agreement for a prisoner swap, granting Tehran access to the blocked funds.
"Expansion of bilateral relations will not only be beneficial for both countries but also contribute to enhancing regional and global peace, stability and prosperity,' according to the ambassador.
'Long live friendship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea!" he added.
Echoing Koozechi's hopes, Chung Kee-yong, South Korea's Deputy Minister for Climate Change of Korea, reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to ties with Tehran.
Chung compared the Iran-Korea relationship to a Persian carpet, shaped by centuries of intricate exchanges. Iran-Korea diplomatic ties have historical connections dating back to the Silk Road, evidenced by Persian influences in Korean art and glassware.
'The resolution of frozen asset issues and the increase in high-level exchanges demonstrate our shared determination to build a constructive and forward-looking partnership,' stressed Chung.
He recalled South Korea's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chung Byung-won, visiting Tehran twice in 2023, highlighting strong cooperation between the nations.
'Chung's meetings with President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi reaffirmed both nations' strong commitment to close cooperation,' he underlined, referring to the deputy foreign minister's visit to Iran on July 31, 2024.
'Korean companies have played a key role in modernizing Iran's major industries by participating in infrastructure projects across sectors such as energy, automotive, and construction,' said the deputy minister for climate change, adding that cooperation in medical and pharmaceutical matters is also crucial.
'True friendship is holding the hand of a friend in both joy and sorrow,' Chung said, quoting the renowned Persian poet Saadi Shirazi.
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