Anchor: A naval destroyer operated by South Korea's anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit has arrived near the Strait of Hormuz to help seek the release of the South Korean oil tanker Hankuk Chemi from Iran. The Choi Young, which was conducting a mission in waters near Oman, was dispatched to the strait upon news of the seizure.
Park Jong-hong has the details.

Report: The 33rd contingent of the 300-strong Cheonghae Unit stationed on the destroyer Choi Young arrived at the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday to assist in the return of the MT Hankuk Chemi.

A South Korean government official said that the vessel, whose original mission is anti-piracy, is expected to respond to the seizure of the South Korean oil tanker in close cooperation with the ministries of foreign affairs and oceans and fisheries, as well as with the Combined Maritime Forces(CMF), a multinational naval force headquartered in Bahrain.

On Monday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized the ship as it was traveling from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, claiming that the vessel was causing environmental and chemical pollution in the area.

There are reportedly 20 crew members onboard the South Korean-flagged vessel, including five South Koreans, eleven Myanmar nationals, two Indonesians and two Vietnamese.

Also in response, the South Korean government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to Seoul.

Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Koh Kyung-sok reportedly expressed regret over the incident, inquired about the safety of the crew and called for their and the ship’s immediate release.

Iranian Ambassador Saeed Badamchi Shabestari told reporters before the meeting that the crew is safe and healthy, but declined to comment on the reason for the seizure and when the vessel will be released.  

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told reporters that diplomatic efforts are under way for a prompt release. As part of the efforts, the ministry plans to dispatch a delegation to Iran to resolve the issue through bilateral negotiations.

Asked whether the seizure could be retaliation for South Korea's freezing of Iranian assets in accordance with U.S. sanctions, Kang stressed that verifying the facts and confirming the safety of the crew should take priority.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department also reportedly called for the release of the vessel and its crew.

According to news agency Reuters, the department issued the call in a statement on Monday, criticizing the Iranian regime for threatening navigational rights and freedom in the Persian Gulf.

A spokesperson of the department said in the statement that the Iranian moves are part of a clear attempt to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions.  

In line with Washington’s sanctions, South Korea is currently engaged in neither trade nor financial transactions with Iran.
Park Jong-hong KBS World Radio News.