TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called on South Korea to unfreeze the oil assets illegally blocked in the country’s banks in a bid to repair its damaged reputation among Iranians.
"The illegal action of Korean banks in blocking Iran's financial assets has led to the loss of trust among the Iranian people," Araqchi said in his meeting with the South Korean Deputy Prime Minister, Choi Jong-kun, adding that the lost trust can be restored through releasing Iran’s revenues.
"South Korea should take immediate practical action to resolve the problems between the two countries," he noted.
Choi Jong-kun, for his part, said that resolving the problems and boosting the relations are among the main priorities in bilateral relations.
He also acknowledged that the Korean companies have enormously suffered as a result of US sanctions against Iran and expressed hope that new conditions would make it possible to solve these problems.
In relevant remarks on Monday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said South Korea should immediately provide a practical solution for unfreezing Iran’s crude revenues in Seoul banks.
He called on the South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to provide the Iranian nation with immediate and practical solutions so as to release the country’s blocked money.
In his meeting with Chung, Qalibaf hailed Korean Premier's visit to Tehran, calling it an appropriate step to improve relations between the two countries.
The speaker expressed hope that this trip will become a turning point in the resumption of political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
“Iranian people’s attitude towards South Korea is negative and they don’t accept this country’s behavior and approach since 2018,” Qalibaf further said.
South Korean Prime Minister, for his part, expressed hope that his trip will lead to the resumption of good relations with Iran.
“Unfortunately, from 2018 onwards, the relations between the two countries have faced some problems, which we are trying to solve,” he said, adding, “With respect to the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea's foreign relations, we will do our best to overcome the problems.”
“I believe that Iran and South Korea, as two Asian countries, should preserve and strengthen their relations,” Chung noted.
Chung arrived in Tehran on Sunday afternoon and was welcomed by Iranian Minister of Road and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami.