Foreign Ministry condemns “violent crime” five days after the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist

Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam is giving a regular briefing at the Foreign Ministry Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th of last month. [뉴스1]

The South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on the 2nd that it was a “violent criminal act” in connection with the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mosen Pakrizade, which took place on the 27th of last month near Tehran.

The Foreign Ministry made a comment on behalf of a spokesperson that day, saying, “The Korean government emphasizes that these violent criminal acts do not lead to stability and peace in the Middle East in connection with the murder of Patriciade.”

He added: “The government opposes any action that increases tensions and affects stability in the region, taking into account the uncertainties of the current situation in the Middle East.”

While driving in the city of Absard, near Tehran, Parkrizade was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun and a bomb attack at an intersection. At the scene, about 10 assassins appeared, shot Park Rizade and disappeared.

Foreign media such as the New York Times (NYT) are predicting the possibility that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad is involved in the incident. This is because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously named Parc Lizade “the nation’s first enemy.” On the other hand, Israel denies it and says: “I don’t know who is responsible for this case.”

Some analysts say this case was directed at President-elect Joe Biden, who prioritizes the restoration of the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA). This is because this incident could break the mood of the dialogue between the next US government and Iran.

Neither the Biden-elect himself nor the transition committee have taken an official position due to the susceptibility of the entanglement between Israel’s allies and Iran. Instead, on the night of the 1st, Biden-elect said in a phone call with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, “It can be hard “After bringing Iran back to the nuclear deal (JCPOA), we will conduct follow-up negotiations with the alliance to strengthen and extend regulations.”

A scene on the road in Absard, a small town near Tehran, where Park Lizade died on the 27th of last month. [로이터=연합뉴스]

Trita Passy, ​​deputy director of the US think tank Quincy Institute, told Al Jazeera immediately after the incident: “From Netanyahu’s point of view, this is the time to weaken Biden.” .

There are also concerns that if the Iranian government takes retaliatory action, President Donald Trump, who remains in office for less than a month, will retaliate with Israel in a hardline response to Iran.

Taking this sensitivity into account, the cautious Korean government issued a critical position five days after the incident. Biden, who prefers a diplomatic approach to Iran, is interpreted as a means to empower the chosen ones.

Reporter Lee Yoo-jung [email protected]