Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the South Korean ambassador to protest South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s remark that Iran is the enemy of the UAE.
Yoon’s Provocation
In a Monday address to South Korea’s special forces stationed in the UAE, Yoon called the UAE its “brother nation,” and provoked Iran by comparing the threat it poses to the UAE, to that posed by the nuclear-armed North Korea towards his own country.
Sincere appreciation goes to the wonderful hospitality of @MohamedBinZayed. Very happy to have had a productive and in-depth discussion. 🇰🇷🇦🇪 Special Strategic Partnership will be further advanced to the highest level! https://t.co/QN5gRkCQg1
— 윤석열 Yoon Suk Yeol (@President_KR) January 15, 2023
“The security of our brother nation is our security. The enemy of the UAE, its most-threatening nation, is Iran, and our enemy is North Korea,” he said during the official visit.
Around 150 South Korean soldiers are deployed to the UAE to engage in combined special forces training and other joint military activities.
Iran’s Reaction
The remark triggered Iran’s Foreign Ministry to lodge a “strong protest” against Yoon’s “meddlesome” and “unfriendly” statements.
To this end, Dr. Reza Najafi, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, summoned the South Korean ambassador Yun Kang-hyeon on Wednesday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has reacted to the South Korean president’s recent remarks in the United Arab Emirates. pic.twitter.com/h7Gns2XCe3
— Iran Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) January 17, 2023
Dr. Najafi highlighted Iran’s “friendly ties with most Persian Gulf states” and alleged that Yoon’s statement was “tantamount to interference” and undermined regional peace and security.
He demanded an “immediate explanation” of the remarks and underscored the need for Seoul to “correct” its approach.
Dr. Najafi further warned that Seoul’s failure to take “effective measures” towards dispute resolution would prompt Iran to “reconsider” bilateral ties.
South Korea’s Response
Ambassador Yun maintained that the president was trying to encourage the troops and did not intend to comment on Iran’s foreign relations.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the Korean ambassador also stressed that the statement had “nothing to do” with Iran’s ties with the UAE or Korea.
He also said Iran is awaiting an explanation from the South Korean Foreign Ministry about the issue.https://t.co/kt66FZv5zH
— Iran Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) January 17, 2023
While Ambassador Yun urged Iran against making an “unnecessary overinterpretation” of Yoon’s comments, the diplomat assured that he would convey the Iranian government’s views and expectations to the Korean government.
A Fragile Relationship
Iran and South Korea have had a tumultuous relationship in recent years.
Their ties worsened over Iran’s inability to access more than $7 billion in Iranian funds that were frozen in South Korean banks due to American sanctions for Iran’s multiple violations of the restrictions put in place by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Tehran had also threatened to take legal action against Seoul on the matter.
Last January, Iran regained its voting rights in the UN after South Korea paid $18 million in its delinquent dues using the frozen funds.