▲ Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi exits the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building after concluding a meeting with Jeong Gwang-yong, director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs
Saeed Koozechi, the Iranian ambassador to South Korea, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday evening (September 16) and met with Jeong Gwang-yong, director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs, SBS has confirmed.
The meeting took place just a day before Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's departure for the United States, as the South Korean government reviews ways to make a military contribution to the Strait of Hormuz.
A Foreign Ministry official explained the background of Ambassador Koozechi's visit, saying, "He came to pay a farewell courtesy call as his departure is approaching soon."
However, with Iran having repeatedly stated its stance recently regarding South Korea's review of troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, attention is focused on whether related discussions took place during today's meeting.
Ambassador Koozechi exited the Foreign Ministry building after concluding his meeting with Director-General Jeong.
SBS reporters asked Ambassador Koozechi, "What message did you convey to the South Korean government today?", "Did you request that the South Korean government not consider troop deployment to Hormuz?", and "Can Iran guarantee the safety of South Korean vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz?", but the ambassador did not answer.
The visit is drawing particular attention due to its timing.
Minister Cho departs for the United States tomorrow (September 17) and will hold a South Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 18.
Attention is also focused on whether the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, where the United States has called on its allies to expand their roles, will be discussed during the upcoming meeting.
The South Korean government is reviewing options including a military contribution to the Strait of Hormuz, but maintains the position that no decision has yet been made regarding whether or how to deploy troops.
Iran has recently issued a series of messages aimed at South Korea's troop deployment review.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei issued a statement in Korean on September 7, warning that stationing military forces or participating in military operations in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz would bring "serious consequences."
Subsequently, on September 11, Minister Cho held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi at the request of the Iranian foreign minister.
During the call, Minister Cho explained the government's position that "nothing has been decided regarding troop deployment," while emphasizing that the free and safe navigation of all vessels, including South Korean ships, must be guaranteed.
Minister Araghchi also explained Iran's stance on the recent situation in the Middle East.
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