The Blue House stated on May 11 that the fire on the South Korean vessel HMM Namoo in the Hormuz Strait was confirmed to be caused by an external attack. The government emphasized that attacks on civilian vessels, including the Namoo, cannot be justified or tolerated. However, officials refrained from speculating on the identity of the attackers, maintaining a cautious stance.
Wi Sung-lak, Chief of the National Security Office, expressed strong condemnation of the attack during a briefing with reporters, stating, "We strongly condemn this attack."
A senior official from the Blue House noted, "While it is clear that attacks on commercial vessels are condemnable, the government is not currently identifying the attackers. We are in the process of determining the responsible party and will respond appropriately once we have clarity."
On May 4, an explosion and fire occurred aboard the HMM Namoo, which was docked in the Hormuz Strait. Wi explained that two unidentified aircraft struck the stern of the Namoo approximately one minute apart, resulting in flames and smoke. He added that the damage occurred above the waterline, approximately 1 to 1.5 meters high, suggesting that the possibility of a mine or torpedo attack is low based on the damage pattern.
He further stated, "Additional investigation is needed to gather information about the aircraft involved in the attack," indicating that a more specialized inquiry would be conducted to identify the attackers and the type of aircraft used.
The government has towed the Namoo, which is currently unable to operate on its own, to the port of Dubai. An investigative team consisting of three officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and four forensic experts from the National Fire Agency has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the fire. Military experts are also reported to be involved in the investigation. Wi mentioned that future response measures will be considered based on the results of this investigation.
Wi also stated, "We will enhance communication with relevant countries to prevent such incidents from recurring and will intensify efforts to ensure the safety of our vessels and crew in nearby straits. We will continue to participate in international efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation for all vessels, including those from South Korea."
Yu Ji-hoon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis (KIDA), advised that efforts should be made to secure evidence and pursue accountability through international cooperation. He emphasized the need for systematic improvements in sharing navigation information for high-risk areas, providing vessel escorts and evacuation support, and enhancing the navy's long-range maritime security response capabilities, as well as establishing a cooperative framework within the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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