[Anchor]
Jeong Byeong-ha, head of the Polar Cooperation Office, was dispatched to Iran as the foreign minister’s special envoy.
He is expected to begin work as early as this weekend.
He will meet Iranian officials to exchange views on transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the broader security situation in the Middle East.
Reporter Kim Mina reports.
[ Reporter ]
The government has named Jeong Byeong-ha as the foreign minister’s special envoy to Iran, and he has begun his mission.
The Foreign Ministry said the envoy will use the trip to exchange views on developments in the Middle East and to consult on measures to protect South Korean citizens, ships and crews, as well as navigation issues affecting all vessels.
A senior government official told Yonhap News TV that, because local flights are restricted, Jeong will travel by road for about 10 hours and is expected to start full duties this weekend.
Jeong is a long-time Middle East specialist at the Foreign Ministry, having served as director of the Middle East 1 and 2 divisions and as ambassador to Kuwait.
The government also created a new post: Middle East Peace Government Representative.
Lee Kyung-chul, the government’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been appointed to the role and will begin work soon.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and announced plans to send a special envoy.
Araghchi welcomed the envoy’s dispatch and agreed to keep bilateral communication channels open.
Park Il, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said the government will coordinate with relevant countries to determine specific transit procedures and conditions.
Currently, 26 South Korean-flagged vessels remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, and 173 crew members are unable to leave their ships.
Of those vessels, five are slated to return to South Korea; four are carrying oil and one is transporting automobiles.
The government has urged Iran to ensure freedom of navigation for all vessels and plans to pursue diplomatic measures, including sending the special envoy, to secure the safety of South Korean ships and crew.
This is Kim Mina for Yonhap News TV.
[Video reporting: Kim Dong-hwa]
[Video editing: Lee Ae-ryeon]
[Graphics: Yong Su-ji]
[News review]
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Kim Mina (goldmina@yna.co.kr)
