Iranian Foreign Ministry Raises Warning Level for South Korea, Targets Cheonghae Unit With “If a Crow-Tit Follows a Stork, Its Legs...”

[Financial News] Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson issued a warning, citing a Korean proverb, that appeared to target the government’s plan to expand the Cheonghae Unit’s mission.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posted on his X account on the 12th (local time) the Korean proverb “If a crow-tit follows a stork, its legs will split,” along with an image illustrating it.
In an English-language post, he also used a sentence with the same meaning and identified its source as a “Korean proverb.”
The accompanying image shows a crow-tit perched on a rock, looking up at a stork with the U.S. flag depicted on its wings.
The stork is falling, and the Iranian flag is planted on the cliff opposite. A warship and an oil tanker float in the sea below the cliff, evoking the Strait of Hormuz.

In the post, Baghaei said, “Directly or indirectly engaging in acts of aggression against Iran or in inhumane economic terrorism—including through the deployment of naval forces, military and logistical support equipment, or personnel—will be considered a hostile and unlawful act of joining the United States’ aggression against Iran.”
Baghaei argued that such actions not only violate Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force, but also fall under the definition of an act of aggression set out in UN General Assembly Resolution 3314.
He particularly stressed, “Invoking seemingly legitimate pretexts such as ‘protecting freedom of navigation’ or ‘combating piracy’ does not change the unlawful and hostile nature of such actions.” Baghaei also said, “Our message is clear,” adding, “No bilateral agreement or commitment with the United States can provide a legitimate basis for a country to violate its obligations under international law or take part in U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran.”
He warned that “any country that takes part in this unlawful aggression in any form will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”
The post came three days after Baghaei urged South Korea at a regular briefing on the 9th to refrain from deploying forces to the region.

At the time, responding to a question about expanding the Cheonghae Unit’s area of operations, he said, “South Korea should refrain from deploying military forces to the region under the pretext of supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” and “should avoid getting involved in an already sufficiently complex situation.”
At the time, he also said of bilateral relations, “Iran and South Korea have maintained a longstanding friendly relationship for more than 60 years, based on mutual respect and the interests of both countries.” This time, however, the absence of any mention of friendly ties and the emphasis on “illegality” and “hostile acts” have been interpreted as a marked escalation in the warning.
Under pressure from the United States, the government has decided to expand the Cheonghae Unit’s area of operations from the waters of the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to waters south of Oman, closer to the Strait of Hormuz. It is also proceeding with plans to deploy additional assets, including a maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, and unmanned mine-clearance equipment.
On the 10th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are proceeding with a motion seeking approval to extend the deployment as a way to strengthen the Cheonghae Unit’s mission under the principles of non-involvement and non-intervention in war, for the purpose of protecting our citizens and safeguarding economic interests,” and said it was maintaining communication with Iran and other countries concerned.
[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter