Surviving in the World: South Korea's Crucial Role in Iran-US Prisoner Swap
Good morning. Welcome back to Surviving in the World (SIW), your newsletter written by students for those interested in global affairs. We always try to present select topics in global news in an easy-to-understand format.
​​
We're sending this letter ahead of schedule to reveal South Korea's crucial role in the recent Iran-US prisoner swap.
​
Brought to you by: Keonhee Ahn, Editor-In-Chief (’25)
​
Word Count: 573 / Time: 5 minute read.
​
​
South Korea’s Crucial Role in Iran-US Prisoner Swap
Some background: Three days ago, five long-imprisoned Americans returned to the US in a significant prisoner swap, traveling from Tehran to Doha before landing at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
This exchange was completed following the transfer of Iranian funds from South Korea to Doha. Among the returnees are dual Iranian-US citizens, while five Iranians were also released from US custody.
A family member embraces freed American Siamak Namazi (Source: Reuters)
Prisoner exchange facilitated by South Korea: South Korea played a pivotal role in the prisoner exchange by releasing frozen Iranian assets worth approximately $6 billion held in South Korean won.
​
-
These assets were then transferred to Qatar, which served as an intermediary between Iran and the United States in the negotiations.
​
Prisoner details: The exchange would involve five prisoners held by each side. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani confirmed that two of the Iranian prisoners will remain in the United States.
​
-
On the U.S. side, three of the known prisoners to be exchanged include 51-year-old businessman Siamak Namazi–who has spent nearly eight years in Tehran's notorious Evin prison–Emad Sharghi, 59, and Morad Tahbaz, 67, while the identities of the other two remain undisclosed.
​​​One of the hostages held at the US Embassy in Tehran,
Iran, is shown to the crowd by Iranian students on November 8, 1979. (Source: AP Photo)
​
Situational Awareness:
Iran-US relations: The United States and Iran have experienced notably strained relations since 2018 when then-President Donald Trump withdrew from an agreement designed to limit Tehran's nuclear aspirations and implemented more stringent U.S. sanctions.
History of Prisoner Swaps: Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover, with their most recent major exchange occurring in 2016.
-
The previous exchange in 2016 involved the release of American captives and a cash transfer of $400 million to Tehran on the same day, a move that drew controversy.
​
Ongoing Nuclear Concerns: Iran's nuclear program is a source of international concern, with its uranium enrichment now closer to weapons-grade levels.
-
While some international agencies have expressed concerns, the US. intelligence community maintains that Iran is not pursuing an atomic bomb.
​
Regional Implications: Israel, a nuclear power, has signaled its determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, which adds to regional tensions.
​
-
Iran's involvement in supplying drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict further complicates its relations with the US.
​
Why you should care: The Iran-US Prisoner Swap showcases Korea's ability to shape international outcomes of global powerhouses.
​
​
​
​​​​​​​​​​​
You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from SIW
Want to change how you receive these emails?
