S. Korea to discuss Iran's frozen funds with Iran, US
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The frozen funds have been affecting the South's economic ties with Tehran.
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Park Jin, South Korea's foreign minister.
The South Korean foreign minister Park Jin on Monday announced that his country will be discussing with Iran and the US the issue of frozen funds which have been affecting economic ties between Tehran and Seoul, in congruency with hopes that the nuclear agreement issue will be resolved soon.Â
Read more: Iran to possibly get $7 billion in unfrozen funds from S.Korea
"With regard to Iran, we want to have a mutually beneficial relationship, although we have some obstacles [with regard to] frozen funds. [South] Korea will discuss it with Iran and also with the United States," Park said during a press event alongside US counterpart Antony Blinken. "And in terms of JCPOA negotiations, we hope that this issue can be resolved as soon as possible."Â
He added that there should be more dialogue and diplomacy in order to obtain a positive result from nuclear negotiations.Â
Within the same context of the conference, Blinken uttered his worries about the possibility of a nuclear test by North Korea, in addition to an increased frequency of testing weapons since the start of 2022. Blinken said that the US is willing to make military adjustments in response.
"We remain concerned about the prospects for what would be a seventh nuclear test over multiple administrations. We know that the North Koreans have done preparations for such a test. We are being extremely vigilant about that. We are in very close touch with our close allies and partners, starting with the Republic of Korea, also with Japan and others, to be able to respond quickly should the North Koreans proceed with such a test," Blinken said.Â
Read more: South Korea pays back Iran $18 million, UN voting rights restored
South Korea says North Korea launched unspecified projectiles
Yesterday, Sunday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has stated that they detected evidence suggesting that several projectile launches took place on the morning of June 12.Â
Details about the revelation are unclear, including the location and where the launches were directed, in addition to the number of projectiles. There haven't been any reports of injuries, damage, or disruption.
The projectile launch, according to North Korea, is by the least intended to demonstrate the government's defense policy to counter US aggression, looking to gain more leverage against the background of future nuclear negotiations.Â
This comes after a joint US-South Korea military exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. It is thought that the newly elected South president Yoon Seok-youl will be taking a tougher stance against North Korea.Â
