Vietnam exchanges with the parties to verify that Iran has captured Korean ships with Vietnamese citizens and is ready to protect citizens.

Tehran said the South Korean cargo ship Hankuk Chemi was detained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard naval forces on Jan. 4 under the pretext of "consecutive violation of maritime environment laws" and polluting the Gulf.

Speaking to VnExpress today, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said that after receiving information that the Hankuk Chemi ship and 20 crew members, including two Vietnamese, were arrested by Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted

Ms. Hang added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also contacted the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Transport to verify the identity of the crew members, asking the sending companies to ensure the benefits of workers.

"The Vietnamese representative offices in Iran and Korea will continue to closely monitor the incident and at the same time be ready to take necessary measures to protect citizens, protect the rights and interests of Vietnamese seafarers.

The Hankuk Chemi was carrying 7,200 tons of ethanol from the city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and was captured by Iran while on its way to Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The arrest came just days before South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun is scheduled to visit Iran, to discuss Tehran's request for Seoul to pay $ 7 billion that is frozen at Korean banks due to the order.