(3rd LD) S Korea-vessel attack
(3rd LD) Seoul official cites low possibility of non-Iranian actor involvement in attack on S. Korean vessel
(ATTN: UPDATES with ministry spokesperson's comments in paras 12-14)
SEOUL, May 14 (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean government official said Thursday the possibility of a non-Iranian actor being behind last week's attack on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz appears low, while stressing that an investigation is still under way.
The official said the government was focusing efforts on gathering evidence to support such an assessment regarding the strikes against the Panama-flagged cargo vessel operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. on May 4.
"There may still be a possibility of another actor besides Iran, but common sense suggests it is not high. There were no pirates nearby," the foreign ministry official said.
This photo, released by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026, shows a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull of a South Korean-operated vessel, the Panama-flagged cargo vessel HMM Namu, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. South Korea has concluded that a strike by "unidentified airborne objects" caused the explosion and fire aboard the vessel in the Strait of Hormuz the previous week. (Yonhap)
The official, however, stressed that such an assessment can be predicated only on the premise that the final investigation results identify an Iranian actor as being behind the attack.
Seoul has been investigating the incident, which was determined to have been caused by a strike by two unidentified flying objects. The suspected attack destroyed the engine room and left a 7-meter-deep puncture on the ship's stern.
According to the defense ministry, the government dispatched a 10-member technical analysis team to Dubai on Wednesday to conduct a scientific investigation and determine the cause of the incident.
The official added that Seoul expects "an appropriate response" from the Iranian side if further investigations produce evidence supporting such an assessment.
"Once (the actor is) fully identified, we will launch a commensurate diplomatic offensive."
According to the official, the incident marked the 33rd case involving an attack on a civilian vessel since the U.S.-Iran war, adding that the government is reviewing response measures taken by other countries in previous cases.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the government will conduct an additional investigation into the incident and pursue necessary diplomatic response measures.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun holds a meeting with CEOs of major domestic petrochemical companies in Seoul on April 17, 2026, in this file photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The minister added the government intends "to continue consultations with relevant nations, based on our position that attacks on civilian vessels, including the HMM Namu, can never be justified or tolerated under any circumstances."
On the possibility of Iran's involvement in the incident, foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said the government intends to "refrain from mentioning any specific country while the perpetrator has not yet been identified."
"We will take necessary countermeasures once the facts are confirmed through the investigation," Park said during a regular press briefing.
He added South Korea was in consultations with the United Arab Emirates to ensure the engine debris from the unidentified airborne objects that struck the ship is delivered here from Dubai as promptly as possible for an in-depth analysis.
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