{"id":2201972,"date":"2023-08-14T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2023-08-13T23:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201972"},"modified":"2023-08-13T23:00:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-13T14:00:14","slug":"u-s-iran-prisoner-swap-facilitates-release-of-iranian-assets-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/08\/u-s-iran-prisoner-swap-facilitates-release-of-iranian-assets-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S.-Iran prisoner swap facilitates release of Iranian assets in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
The U.S. and Iran have reached an <\/span>agreement<\/span><\/a> to free five American detainees in exchange for imprisoned Iranians and to unlock around $6 billion of Iranian oil revenues. This agreement, reached after more than two years of behind-the-scenes negotiations, paves the way for the <\/span>release of Iranian assets<\/span><\/a> frozen in two South Korean banks since 2019. The freeze came into effect when Washington halted waivers for Iranian oil imports to South Korea and several other nations.<\/span><\/p>\n White House National Security Council\u2019s coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby indicated that the asset release is <\/span>not expected<\/span><\/a> to affect the exchange rate or value of the South Korean won. He added that the U.S. collaborated closely with South Korea to ensure this outcome. The funds will be directed to an account at Qatar\u2019s central bank, subject to restrictions guaranteeing their use exclusively for humanitarian transactions, such as buying medicine and food.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n The agreement to unfreeze roughly $6 billion of Iranian assets in South Korean banks may provide an avenue for both nations to mend their strained economic ties. Prior to 2018, <\/span>trade relations<\/span><\/a> between South Korea and Iran were on the rise. However, the trajectory changed when the Trump administration <\/span>opted out<\/span><\/a> of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. In 2019, the U.S. further constrained Iran\u2019s revenue by rescinding oil purchase waivers previously granted to eight countries, including South Korea. The asset release might spark new trade and investment ventures, especially in the energy sector where South Korea has traditionally eyed the Iranian market.<\/span><\/p>\n However, a full-fledged rapprochement with Iran remains uncertain for South Korea. During a January visit to the UAE, President Yoon Suk-yeol, while addressing a South Korean military unit there, <\/span>labeled<\/span><\/a> Iran as the UAE\u2019s \u201cenemy and its biggest threat.\u201d This comment led both nations to <\/span>summon<\/span><\/a> each other\u2019s ambassadors. While Iran has recently reconciled with <\/span>Saudi Arabia<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>the UAE<\/span><\/a>, the fluidity of Middle Eastern diplomacy cannot be ignored. So, South Korea\u2019s burgeoning <\/span>arms<\/span><\/a> sales<\/span><\/a> to the aforementioned countries could hinder the development of warmer relations between Seoul and Tehran.<\/span><\/p>\n