Seoul trying to verify Iranian import ban

WAR.WIRE

Seoul trying to verify Iranian import ban
SEOUL (AFP) Oct 19, 2005
South Korea said Wednesday it was trying to verify a report that Iran had banned its imports in retaliation for Seoul's backing of a UN nuclear agency resolution against Tehran.

Iran has imposed a ban on products from South Korea, Britain, the Czech Republic and Argentina, which all voted for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution, the Seoul-based Maeil Business Newspaper reported.

"Our government is trying to verify the reported move by the Iranian government through diplomatic channels," Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon said at a press briefing.

"The government position is that the Iranian nuclear issue and the South Korean-Iranian economic trade promotion should not be related to each other. It would not be proper if Iran takes such measures citing an attitude by an international agency."

Iran last month vowed to punish its trade partners if they voted for an IAEA resolution to bring Tehran before the UN Security Council to face possible sanctions over its nuclear programme.