South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun visited Qatar on Wednesday to seek assistance in efforts to secure the release of a South Korean oil tanker and its crew seized by Iranian authorities. 

Seoul's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Choi met with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi.

The ministry said in the meetings, the two sides agreed to continue close cooperation in the fields of construction, energy, health and at the United Nations.

In particular, the vice minister asked for Qatar's full support and assistance in Seoul's efforts to resolve the issue of the seized tanker. 

He also met with Qatar's Minister of State for Energy and Qatar Petroleum CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi and agreed to continue cooperation in energy development and transport. 

Choi, who has been visiting Iran and Qatar since Sunday, is scheduled to return home on Thursday afternoon.