Iran agreed to release the crew of a South Korean chemical
tanker that it detained at the beginning of January. South Korea’s foreign
ministry confirmed that after negations, nineteen of the crew members are being
released. The vessel, the 17,427 dwt tanker Hankuk Chemi, and the vessel’s
captain will remain in Iran.
Following the request of the South Korean government and the
assistance of the Iranian Judiciary within the framework of judicial
regulations, the crew of the South Korean ship, which was detained on charges
of environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf, have received the permission of
the Islamic Republic of Iran to leave the country in a humanitarian move.