“There are still things that need to be studied before making a judgment,” Cho told reporters, signaling Seoul’s reluctance to escalate tensions before the investigation is fully completed.
His remarks came a day after the foreign ministry disclosed that two “unidentified airborne objects” struck the stern of the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu last week, triggering an explosion and fire aboard the vessel.
The ship, operated by HMM, was carrying 24 crew members, including six South Koreans.
No casualties were reported.
Seoul’s calibrated response reflects the delicate diplomatic balancing act facing South Korea as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz intensify.
South Korea remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude imports and has sought to avoid being drawn directly into confrontation between Washington and Tehran despite its alliance with the United States.
The foreign ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi on Sunday to explain the findings, Cho said, adding that the investigation results had also been shared with Washington.
Koozechi did not speak publicly upon arriving at the ministry. According to Seoul officials, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo briefed the Iranian envoy on the preliminary investigation outcome.
The Iranian Embassy in Seoul strongly denied any involvement, saying Tehran “firmly and categorically” rejects allegations linking its military to the incident.
The attack came just hours after Washington launched — and later suspended — “Project Freedom,” a U.S.-led operation aimed at assisting commercial ships stranded around the strategic waterway. Tehran condemned the operation as a violation of the ceasefire framework that has nominally remained in place since early April.
The incident is expected to surface during talks between South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on Monday local time. The trip marks Ahn’s first visit to the United States since taking office.
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