Khaberni - Baghdad has resolved the ongoing debate about the sale of a building affiliated with the Iraqi Embassy in South Korea to a singer.
The Foreign Ministry stated that it had followed media reports regarding allegations of selling a property belonging to the Iraqi Embassy in Seoul to a cultural figure in South Korea.
It confirmed that “Iraq does not own any embassy building or residential properties in South Korea, and that the embassy operates its quarters through standard rental agreements with the host country, similar to many international missions, and in accordance with administrative and organizational considerations customary in diplomatic work.”
Therefore, “the claims about the sale of a building owned by the Iraqi state are baseless and unfounded,” according to the statement.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry urged the media “to ensure accuracy and to rely on official sources when publishing news related to state institutions, to avoid disseminating incorrect information.”
On Wednesday, the newspaper "JungAng Daily" revealed that the singer Jennie, a member of 'Blackpink', had bought a building in the capital Seoul that was previously used as the Iraqi Embassy, for about $13.8 million, in a transaction completed last year.
The newspaper mentioned that the building, constructed in 1970, was originally used as the location of the Iraqi Embassy in South Korea, raising questions about whether the property was owned by Iraq and sold, or if it had originally been leased.
The building is located in the northern part of Dongbinggo-dong, a densely populated area containing residences of foreign embassies, including those of Hungary and Libya.
Previously, the building served as the headquarters of the Iraqi Embassy in South Korea before the embassy moved to the nearby Hanam-dong, according to the Chosun newspaper.
