Senior Korean Diplomat Due in Tehran

South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun left for Iran on Sunday to reportedly negotiate the release of the South Korean oil tanker and its crew seized by Iranian authorities last week.
Choi is expected to meet his counterpart and other high-level officials at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, joined by the South Korean delegation that arrived earlier in Tehran, Yonhap News Agency.
On Monday, Iranian naval forces seized the MT Hankuk Chemi carrying 20 crew members, including five South Koreans, on charges of environmental pollution. The South Korean Embassy in Tehran confirmed the safety and health of all 20 sailors on Wednesday.
“I’m a little relieved to know that the crew is safe, but the situation is serious,” Choi told reporters before departure.
“We hope to hold in-depth talks with key officials whether it is a consular issue or other major issues between South Korea and Iran.”
Iran says the seizure took place due to “technical issues” and that the matter will be addressed in line with its judicial process. 
The seizure came amid lingering tensions between Seoul and Tehran over the latter’s money frozen in South Korean banks under US sanctions. 
Iran has urged the release of assets worth $7 billion frozen in two South Korean banks since September 2019.
Iran has reportedly made a request to South Korea for the use of the frozen money to purchase medicine, medical equipment and Covid-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility, a global vaccine procurement mechanism.
“It will be a good opportunity to clearly hear once again what the Iranian government wants and to distinguish what [we] can do and cannot do regarding the issue, as well as what needs to be consulted on with the US,” Choi said.