South Korea’s special envoy to the foreign minister met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss Middle East developments and request cooperation for the safe navigation of Korean vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
According to the ministry, special envoy Chung Byung-ha conveyed regards from Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and highlighted recent diplomatic exchanges between the two sides, including two phone calls between the foreign ministers, last year’s senior officials’ policy consultations, and Seoul’s $500,000 humanitarian assistance delivered through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Chung also requested Iran’s continued attention to the safety of some 40 South Korean nationals in the country, as well as 26 South Korea-related vessels and their crews stranded in the Persian Gulf, awaiting passage through the strait.
In particular, he emphasized the need "to ensure freedom of navigation and called for Iran’s cooperation to enable the swift and safe passage of all vessels, including those linked to South Korea."
On regional developments, Chung expressed hope that peace and stability would be restored through the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Araghchi, in response, voiced appreciation for Seoul’s decision to dispatch a special envoy under difficult circumstances and for the continued role of the South Korean Embassy in Iran, hoping for stable bilateral ties. Iran would continue to pay attention to ensuring the safety of South Korean nationals, he added.
From the early stages of the envoy’s dispatch, the Foreign Ministry had sought to arrange a meeting with Araghchi. Securing an appointment proved difficult due to his schedule, as he leads Iran’s negotiations with the US, said a Seoul official requesting anonymity. The Iranian side only confirmed availability on Wednesday, leading to the meeting being arranged at short notice, the official added.
South Korea is understood to be the only country to have dispatched a foreign minister’s special envoy to Iran. The Seoul official said Araghchi also commended the continued operation of the South Korean Embassy in Iran and the active role of South Korean Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo.
Separately, an Iranian Foreign Ministry social media post said Chung expressed hope in his meeting with Araghchi that diplomatic efforts would bring an end to the conflict and lead to regional peace and stability, while also underscoring the importance of bilateral relations.
Araghchi, according to the post released earlier via Telegram, defended Iran’s closing of the strait as a measure to safeguard its national security and interests, saying responsibility for any consequences lies with “the parties carrying out the aggression.”
The remarks came as Iran signaled the waterway would remain closed amid the ongoing war. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with Washington, said it is “not possible” to reopen the strait due to what he described as “blatant violations of the ceasefire” by the US and Israel.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the violations include the US naval blockade of Iranian ports — which he claimed amounted to taking the global economy “hostage” — as well as continued Israeli military actions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to negotiations, but warned that breaches of commitments, blockades and threats pose major obstacles to meaningful talks.
The comments come as clashes persist in the vital shipping route, with Iran saying it seized two cargo vessels in the strait for inspection following reported attacks on multiple ships.
A total of 26 South Korea-linked vessels and 173 crew members remain stranded in the Gulf, with Seoul continuing consultations with Iran and neighboring countries to ensure their safety.
mkjung@heraldcorp.com
