SEOUL – South Korea’s foreign ministry on Monday demanded the “early release” of an oil tanker seized by Iran in Gulf waters for breaking maritime environmental laws.
“The foreign ministry is demanding an early release of the vessel,” it said in a statement, adding that it had confirmed the safety of the tanker’s crew.
Seoul dispatched its anti-piracy unit to the Gulf immediately after receiving reports the ship had been seized, according to the defense ministry.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had seized the South Korean-flagged Hankuk Chemi in Gulf waters “due to the repeated infringement of maritime environmental laws.” (AFP)
