Seoul investigates attack on HMM Co.-owned cargo vessel Namu in the Strait of Hormuz.
JAKARTA – The South Korean government has strongly condemned an attack on a cargo vessel operated by a South Korean shipping company in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month and said it would take further steps once the source of the attack had been identified.
South Korea’s presidential office, the Blue House, said on Monday (11/5) that an expert team had carried out an initial forensic analysis of damage to the vessel’s left stern, according to Reuters.
The attack triggered a fire in the engine room of the cargo vessel Namu, which is operated by HMM Co.
Blue House officials stressed that the vessel had not violated any regulations in waters near the United Arab Emirates at the time of the incident.
“This was an unjustifiable attack on a commercial vessel. We condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” South Korean presidential national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said during a press conference.
According to forensic findings at Dubai port, the damage to the vessel was only identified later because it was located on the lower section of the left stern and had therefore not been visible earlier.
The South Korean government said it could not yet confirm Iran’s involvement in the incident.
Tehran had previously denied responsibility for the attack, which caused a strong impact on the side of the vessel.
The Iranian embassy in South Korea said on Monday that it did not yet have an official position on the incident and would issue a statement if there were further developments.
Shortly after the incident, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of attacking the South Korean vessel.
Trump also urged Seoul to join a US-led effort to secure shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. (DK/ZH)
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