Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi leaves the government complex in central Seoul on May 10 after being called by Foreign Ministry to be briefed on the results of the investigation into the explosion aboard the HMM Namu near the Strait of Hormuz. [YONHAP]
A Korean investigation team concluded that an "external strike" caused the explosion aboard a Korean-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz last week, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, though the perpetrator has yet to be identified.
"Around 3:30 p.m. on May 4, two unidentified flying objects struck the outer plating of the port-side ballast tank at the stern of the HMM Namu at intervals of approximately one minute," Park Il, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference at the central government complex in Seoul Sunday night. "It has been confirmed that there were flames and smoke accompanied by vibrations following the impact."
The announcement follows an on-site investigation by a seven-member government team into the explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged Namu cargo ship, operated by Korean shipping company HMM.
On Monday, the government confirmed that an explosion and fire broke out on the vessel that was anchored in waters off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, has been blockaded since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in late February. There were 24 crew members on board, including six Koreans. No injuries or casualties were immediately reported.
The HMM Namu was towed to a port in Dubai on Friday to conduct an inspection into the cause of the explosion and fire.
The latest finding differs from the government's previous stance that the cause of the explosion was unlikely external impact.
Park Il, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, speak during a press conference announcing the results of a Korean investigation team's probe into the cause of the explosion and fire on the HMM Namu cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz at the government complex in central Seoul on May 10. [NEWS1]
Park said that the point of impact caused damage measuring about 5 meters (16.5 feet) wide and 7 meters deep. Considering that the damage occurred 1 to 1.5 meters above sea level, the investigation team concluded that the possibility of being struck by a torpedo is low.
The investigation team secured CCTV footage showing vibrations and flames occurring immediately after the impact and collected debris, including the flying object's engine, from the site to begin a detailed analysis.
As no abnormalities were found in the ship's internal engines, the possibility of a fire caused by an internal defect has been effectively ruled out.
While the airborne object was captured on CCTV footage, there are limitations in confirming the launcher, the exact model and its physical size, Park said.
The government plans to conduct further analysis based on debris recovered from the site.
"It appears that the fire in the engine room was ignited by a primary strike from an unidentified object, followed by a secondary strike that caused the fire to spread rapidly," Park said. He said the cause of the fire is "presumed to be unrelated to the interior of the vessel," noting there had been no abnormalities in the ship's engine, generator or boiler rooms.
Park said that the perpetrator of the attack "has not yet been confirmed," adding that the government "will not jump to any conclusions."
Thus, it is currently unconfirmed whether the object that struck the HMM Namu was a drone or a missile, or which country was responsible.
Park Il, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, speak during a press conference announcing the results of a Korean investigation team's probe into the cause of the explosion and fire on the HMM Namu cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz at the government complex in central Seoul on May 10. [NEWS1]
He added that the Korean government "intends to do its utmost to ensure the safety of our citizens by pursuing all possible measures, including cooperation with the international community.
Park noted that Korea is "closely reviewing" participation in the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Construct initiative.
The Korean Foreign Ministry called Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi to the ministry headquarters in Seoul earlier Sunday to brief him on the outcomes of the investigation team's probe into the explosion on the HMM Namu.
Park said that "Iran is one of the countries involved, and the visit was to explain the investigation results," adding that First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo spoke with the Iranian ambassador.
The Iranian Embassy has denied allegations of Tehran's involvement in the attack and in a statement Wednesday said it "firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz."
Immediately after the explosion aboard the HMM Namu, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post last Monday that Iran has "taken shots" at a Korean cargo ship and other "unrelated nations," adding that "perhaps it's time for South Korea to come and join" its Project Freedom initiative.
The Korean government said it plans to continue sharing relevant information not only with Iran but also with other relevant countries including the United States.
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