Iran invited Korea to late supreme leader's funeral, later canceled plan: Sources

Iran invited Korea to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral but later canceled the plan, citing venue issues, diplomatic sources said.

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Mourners gather during funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, on July 5.

Iran invited Korea to participate in the funeral event for its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but later withdrew the invitation, diplomatic sources said Sunday.

"After receiving an invitation from Iran, the diplomatic mission planned to participate, but Iran later noted last-minute that the mission's attendance would be difficult due to venue-related issues," an official from Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Observers said Iran appears to have decided not to receive condolences from foreign diplomatic missions in Tehran as it focused on receiving high-level delegations from other countries.

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The Korean government is also believed to have accepted Iran's change of plan, considering its relations with Washington, they added.

The former Iranian supreme leader was killed on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on the Middle Eastern nation.


Yonhap

foreign relations funeral iran korea diplomacy ayatollah ali khamenei

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