Diplomacy Journal Lee Gil-ju 기자 | On March 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran invited Korean journalists to their embassy for a photo exhibition, press conference, and a documentary screening.
"They can take lives, but they can never erase memories" was the heading of the invitation. The Ambassador of Iran to Korea, Saeed Koozechi, issued a statement before taking questions. The documentary screened was Angels Drenched in Blood. Diplomacy Journal reporter Lee Gil-ju attended and prepared the following:
Press Briefing by the Iranian Ambassador to Korea (Q&A with Korean Media Correspondents)
SBS — Reporter Kim Hye-young
Q: Does Iran regard Korea as a non-hostile nation, and is safe passage for Korean vessels guaranteed? Does the request for advance vessel information mean Korea will be given exceptional passage?
A: Iran regards Korea as a non-hostile nation and is grateful that Korea has not joined the U.S. sanctions regime, and hopes this policy will be maintained. There is no problem with the safety of Korean vessels, but passage through the Strait of Hormuz unconditionally requires advance coordination with, and information provided to, the Iranian government. Iran's Foreign Minister has formally requested detailed vessel information from the Korean side via phone.
Korea Times — Reporter Park Ji-won
Q: What is the Ambassador's position on reports that President Trump will soon announce a ceasefire?
A: Iran has been communicating with the United States for one year through intermediaries including Oman, but while awaiting a sixth round of talks, Iran was subjected to a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel. This event demonstrates that two years of dialogue were nothing but deception and betrayal, and proves that the United States disregards moral and international boundaries. Accordingly, any mention of a ceasefire could also be a tactic to buy time for another attack on Iran.
Kookmin Ilbo — Reporter Choi Seung-wook
Q: Is Iran's review of the U.S. peace proposal — conveyed through intermediaries — positive or negative? If unacceptable, will Iran put forward a new proposal?
A: Trump's 15-point peace proposal is illegal, unreasonable, and utterly unacceptable. In particular, it includes a demand that Iran abandon its peaceful nuclear activities — but Iran, as an IAEA member state, has the right to conduct peaceful nuclear activities, and there is no evidence whatsoever that they are directed toward military purposes. It is contradictory for Israel — which possesses nuclear weapons yet refuses IAEA inspections — to express concern about Iran's nuclear activities. Iran is not in a position to consider the White House's proposal.
Seoul Economic Daily — Reporter Yoo Ju-hee
Q: You said Korean vessels carrying U.S.-invested oil or gas cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Does this mean Iran will check vessel information and selectively allow only those unrelated to the U.S.?
A: Given the current state of war, the Strait of Hormuz cannot be an exception. Everything related to the United States, Israel, and their interests is subject to Iranian sanctions. With Iran's people and infrastructure suffering severe damage from U.S. and Israeli bombing, it is unjust to allow U.S. companies in the Persian Gulf to freely conduct economic activities — sanctioning them is Iran's defensive right.
Herald Economy — Reporter Moon Jae-yeon
Q: Is it true, as reported, that the Iranian parliament has introduced a bill to charge tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz?
A: For the past 47 years, even under U.S. sanctions, Iran has cooperated to ensure normal and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Conditions have changed due to the war caused by the adventurism of Trump and Israel, but there is currently no discussion whatsoever in the Iranian parliament regarding the imposition of tolls.
Dong-A Ilbo — Reporter Lee Ji-hoon
Q: What is the timeline for resuming safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and when does Iran expect communication with the Korean government and resumption of vessel transit to occur?
A: The strait is not completely closed at present — vessels have passed through during the 26 days of war. Communication is taking place through both countries' foreign ministries and embassies, and Iran has asked Korea to provide a vessel list and information as soon as possible. However, as long as the illegal attacks by the United States and Israel continue, the current security situation will persist.
Chosun Ilbo — Reporter Sa Yu-mok
Q: Korea joined a statement led by its allies condemning Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. What red lines does Iran draw, and how long will this situation continue?
A: As long as the current illegal war and attacks do not stop, the current strait control situation will continue to be maintained.
Yonhap News — Reporter Kim Seung-yeon
Q: What safety guarantees are in place for the 26 Korean vessels and their crews stranded due to the Strait of Hormuz situation? Reports say Thai and Chinese vessels have passed through — how were they granted exceptional passage?
A: Safe passage for vessels is arranged through diplomatic cooperation and agreement, after which the Iranian military is notified and passage is permitted. Vessels from countries other than Thailand and China have also passed through. Fortunately, there are currently no problems whatsoever for Korean vessels and their crews. Iran hopes Korean vessels can pass through one by one through diplomatic agreement, and warns Korea not to trust the United States regarding uncoordinated transit, as this would be dangerous.
MBC — Reporter Yoon Ha-yeon
Q: An online list of countries banned from passage is circulating, and Korea is reportedly classified as a country that cannot pass even by paying large tolls. Is this true?
A: It is regrettable that Korean companies joined U.S. sanctions against Iran and lost opportunities for economic cooperation, but the content regarding a transit-ban list or tolls is something I have never heard of and is not true. The current measures are entirely a defensive policy against the illegal attacks of the United States and Israel. If Korea provides vessel information, it will be reviewed in good faith.
Maeil Business News — Reporter Han Sang-heon
Q: Reports say the U.S. and Israel are preparing to deploy ground troops. How is Iran preparing?
A: Given the past terrorist actions of the United States and Israel, the possibility of a ground troop deployment cannot be ruled out. Iran's military and people are fully prepared and possess enormous determination to defend their country. We hope the United States will not make the mistaken choice of deploying ground troops and falling into a deeper crisis.
Korea JoongAng Daily — Reporter Seo Ji-eun
Q: Korea is reportedly considering participating in minesweeping vessel deployment or mine-removal fund formation instead of troop deployment as requested by the United States. Will Iran regard this as a hostile act? Will it affect coordination on vessel transit?
A: There are currently no mines whatsoever installed in the strait — the Iranian military has installed defensive measures only along its own coastline for defensive purposes. Since Iran geographically controls the strait completely, transit cannot be guaranteed through military measures without Iran's permission. Dispatching minesweepers is meaningless and could endanger others' lives — this is a ploy by the United States to drag neighboring countries into its failed war.
Hankook Ilbo — Reporter Song Jin-seok
Q: You said management of the Strait of Hormuz will differ before and after the war. What specifically are you envisioning? Is U.S.-proposed post-war joint management a possible scenario?
A: Even after the war ends, the situation will not return to what it was before. Approximately 20,000 casualties, including children and civilians, have resulted from U.S. and Israeli attacks. New principles and conditions must be established to ensure that such a horrific tragedy is never again perpetrated by Israel and the United States in the Middle East.
Dongnip Ilbo — Reporter Kim Sang-gyun
Q: Where does Iran draw the strength to endure a month of comprehensive attack by the United States and Israel, even as several leaders have been killed in illegal airstrikes?
A: During the eight-year war against Saddam Hussein — backed by the West — the Iranian people demonstrated extraordinary unity and resolve. In this attack too, the enemy has bombed to assassinate leaders and attempted to incite rebellion, but countless Iranians have taken to the streets even amid the danger of bombing to support their government and stand united. As long as Iran has the support of its people, no one can make it submit.
Summary of the Ambassador's Public Statements:
The Ambassador stressed four key points: that U.S.-Israeli airstrikes were a treacherous surprise attack conducted while dialogue was underway; that the bombing has produced approximately 20,000 casualties including civilians and children, beginning with the killing of 80 children when a school was bombed on the first day of the war; that the strikes were aimed at assassinating Iran's leadership and inciting internal rebellion; and that [U.S. President] Trump was manipulated by [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu into this action against the warnings of military experts, in blind deference to Zionist lobbying and Israeli demands.
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Original article translated by AI, edited by David Kendall
