Wi Sung-lac, head of the Cheong Wa Dae National Security Office, said Tuesday that it was not clear a South Korean ship fire in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by an attack.
Wi also said there was no longer a need to review participation in “Project Freedom,” a U.S. Trump administration effort to help commercial ships leave the Strait of Hormuz that was halted after two days.
Speaking at a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae’s Chunchugwan press center, Wi described the situation involving a fire that broke out May 4 on the South Korean-flagged Namu, which had been anchored in the strait.
“We had been reviewing the ‘maritime freedom initiative,’ and we were also going to review Project Freedom,” he said.
The HMM Namu, which suffered an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, was reported to be awaiting towing. Cheong Wa Dae said the tow was expected to be completed between early morning and morning May 7, Korea time, but stressed the situation remained fluid.
Wi said the possibility of an attack was raised early on and officials considered holding a working-level National Security Council meeting, but added that further review of information suggested an attack was “not that certain.” He said there was no flooding and the ship was not listing.
He added that U.S. comments about participation appeared to assume the ship had been attacked, but said that point required further confirmation.
Wi also said there was no longer a need to review participation in “Project Freedom,” a U.S. Trump administration effort to help commercial ships leave the Strait of Hormuz that was halted after two days.
Speaking at a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae’s Chunchugwan press center, Wi described the situation involving a fire that broke out May 4 on the South Korean-flagged Namu, which had been anchored in the strait.
“We had been reviewing the ‘maritime freedom initiative,’ and we were also going to review Project Freedom,” he said.
The HMM Namu, which suffered an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, was reported to be awaiting towing. Cheong Wa Dae said the tow was expected to be completed between early morning and morning May 7, Korea time, but stressed the situation remained fluid.
Wi said the possibility of an attack was raised early on and officials considered holding a working-level National Security Council meeting, but added that further review of information suggested an attack was “not that certain.” He said there was no flooding and the ship was not listing.
He added that U.S. comments about participation appeared to assume the ship had been attacked, but said that point required further confirmation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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