(Bloomberg) — South Korea strongly condemned what it described as an attack on a civilian cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz after a government investigation found the ship was hit by unidentified objects, though it stopped short of assigning blame.
“Attacks on civilian vessels such as the HMM Namu cannot be justified or tolerated,” presidential security adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters on Monday. “We will seek further investigation to identify the party responsible for the attack, the exact type of projectile and its physical size.”
Wi said South Korea will decide on its response once further analysis identifies the attacker and the type of projectile. He added that Seoul will continue to coordinate with related countries and strengthen protection for Korean ships and crews operating near the strait.
People also ask
Artificial intelligence reinforced the insights from this story
•5 QUESTIONS
HMM Namu was hit by two unidentified aerial objects while anchored near the UAE side of the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes caused flames, smoke and a crater in the ship’s hull.
A South Korean government investigation found that the vessel was struck by two unidentified aerial objects. While debris was found, authorities could not determine whether it was drones or missiles, or identify the launch group.
South Korea strongly condemns the attack as unjustifiable and intolerable. They are continuing to investigate to identify the party responsible and the type of projectile used before deciding on a response.
South Korea is coordinating with related countries and plans to strengthen the protection of Korean ships and crews operating near the Strait of Hormuz after the incident.
Iran presented its response to the US peace proposal aimed at ending the regional conflict and reopening shipping lanes. But tensions remain high, with ongoing diplomatic efforts and fears of disruption to global energy markets.
A joint investigation by the South Korean government found that two “unidentified aerial objects” struck the stern of the HMM Namu on May 4 local time, one minute apart, while the vessel was anchored near the Strait of Hormuz on the UAE side, the foreign ministry said.
The ministry said the strikes shook the vessel and caused flames and smoke, leaving a crater about 5 meters wide and up to 7 meters deep in the ship’s outer hull. Investigators said CCTV footage captured flying objects, although authorities are still unable to determine whether they were drones or missiles or determine who launched them.
“At this stage, we are not making any assumptions about who is responsible for the attack,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Park Il said at a briefing on Sunday, citing field inspections, CCTV analysis and interviews with the ship’s captain. “The cause of the fire is not believed to be related to the interior of the vessel.”
A joint South Korean investigation team comprising three maritime investigators and four fire forensics experts arrived in Dubai on 7 May, the same day HMM Namu docked at the port, and conducted a day-long on-site inspection of the vessel on 8 May.
Debris believed to be from the objects’ engines has been recovered and will undergo further analysis, Park said. He added that due to the damage, the possibility of being hit by a mine or torpedo is unlikely.
The findings increase pressure on Seoul as the US pushes allies to contribute more to maritime security efforts around the Strait of Hormuz following an escalation in tensions over the conflict in Iran. President Donald Trump has previously claimed that an Iranian attack caused the fire and urged South Korea to play a greater role in protecting sea lanes in the region.
The investigation is underway as South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The meeting between Ahn and Hegseth is expected to address issues including the handover of wartime operational control and cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, which was included in a $350 billion tariff deal during last year’s summit. The two may also discuss working together to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues to encroach on the area.
–With help from Molly Smith.
(Updated with commentary from security advisor Wi Sung-lac.)
More such stories are available at bloomberg.com
