TEHRAN (Iran News) Firoozi explained that the discrepancy in trade statistics between the two countries arises from the fact that each country relies on its own customs data. Since intermediary countries play a role in the trade process, South Korea includes them in its customs records, whereas Iran does not. As a result, the reported figures differ. He further noted that Iranian traders, in their efforts to bypass sanctions and maintain trade under restrictions, often resort to indirect methods that hinder the transparency of trade data.

Despite the discrepancies, Firoozi acknowledged a general downward trend in Iran’s imports from South Korea. Although Iranian exports to South Korea have shown some growth, this increase is primarily value-based due to global inflation and remains modest in volume.

Currently, over 90% of Iran’s exports to South Korea consist of copper concentrate. Given South Korea’s advanced technology sector, the demand for copper remains high. Previously, Iran’s primary export to South Korea was gas condensate.

Firoozi pointed out that 2020 marked the lowest trade volume between Iran and South Korea, and the decline continued until 2022. However, in 2023, trade volumes saw a slight improvement, halting the downward trend. Nevertheless, he confirmed that trade levels have now reached their lowest point, primarily due to financial exchange barriers and sanctions, which prevent direct collaboration with South Korean companies.

Iran’s main imports from South Korea currently include medical, pharmaceutical, and dental equipment. Firoozi added that due to the ban on household appliance imports to Iran, South Korean brands such as Samsung and LG are no longer available in the Iranian market. The import of cars, except for a few specific and limited cases, has also been halted, and direct imports of South Korean mobile phones remain highly restricted.

Regarding Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea, Firoozi stated that the matter is no longer under negotiation, as the funds have been transferred to Qatar.

The post Sanctions Hinder Cooperation with South Korean Companies appeared first on Iran News Daily.

“Gold Carrier” by Turaj Aslani will be competing in New Currents, a section dedicated to promising Asian filmmakers, the organizers have announced.

Movies from Japan, Sri Lanka, Korea, Kyrgyzstan and several other countries will compete in the category.

“3 Faces” by Jafar Panahi, “Sly” by Kamal Tabrizi and “Rona, Azim’s Mother”, a co-production between Iran and Afghanistan by Jamshid Mahmudi, will be screened in A Window on Asian Cinema.

“Everybody Knows” by Asghar Farhadi has been selected for the World Cinema competition.

The post Movies from Iran line up for Busan festival appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, told South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Ryu Jeong-Hyun that the future of Iran-S Korea relations is dependent on whether obeying or defying US sanctions against Iran.

The post Iran-S Korea relations hinged on US sanctions appeared first on Iran News Daily.

South Korean Ambassador Kim Seung-Ho and a number of Iranian cultural officials attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled “Korea, Close-Up”.

The exhibition is displaying some photos of Korean tourist attractions, Korean food and traditional costumes, and a number other materials.

The Embassy of South Korea organizes the exhibit in collaboration with the Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Iran-Korea diplomatic relations.

The exhibit will run until September 9 at the center located on Qeitarieh Park.

The post South Korean cultural exhibition opens at Tehran center appeared first on Iran News Daily.