One Korean Chemieho Crew Member Detained in Iran Returns Home

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] It has been confirmed that one crew member of the Korean chemical carrier 'Korea Chemie,' detained by the Iranian government since last month, has been released and returned to Korea.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 11th, one Korean crew member of the Korea Chemie returned home yesterday afternoon due to health reasons. This marks the first return of a Korean crew member 37 days after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized the Korea Chemie on the 4th of last month.

The shipping company of Korea Chemie is currently confirming the wishes of other crew members regarding disembarkation and return, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that related consultations are underway.

The shipping company is known to plan a phased return of other crew members depending on the securing of replacement personnel, considering the need for essential staff to manage the ship and cargo.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "As soon as the crew members' disembarkation plans are prepared, consular assistance will be provided so that crew members wishing to return can move to Tehran, undergo PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, and return home."

Previously, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized the Korean-flagged vessel Korea Chemie on the 4th of last month in waters near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, detaining 20 crew members including 5 Koreans.

The vessel had on board 5 Korean crew members including the captain, first to third officers, and chief engineer, as well as 11 Myanmar nationals, 2 Indonesians, and 2 Vietnamese.

Subsequently, the Iranian government announced on the 2nd that it would release all crew members except the captain, and the on-site support team from the Korean Embassy in Iran boarded the Korea Chemie docked at Rajaei Port the following day to interview the crew members.