On May 17, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the recent situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations between South Korea and Iran, and the safety of South Korean vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Minister Cho explained that the South Korean government is currently conducting further investigations into the recent attack on the HMM Namoo vessel. He requested Iran's position on the facts surrounding the incident and emphasized the importance of safety and freedom of navigation for all vessels, including those from South Korea, in the Strait of Hormuz.
Minister Araghchi shared Iran's perspective on the current Middle Eastern situation and expressed agreement on the need to restore safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the standoff in the area should be resolved promptly, the ministry reported.
Both ministers agreed to maintain ongoing communication to ensure the safety of South Korean vessels and crew in the Strait of Hormuz.
On May 4, an explosion and fire occurred on the South Korean vessel HMM Namoo while it was in the Strait of Hormuz. Investigations revealed that the incident was caused by two unidentified projectiles.
The government is currently conducting an investigation. Debris from the projectiles that struck the South Korean vessel was transported to South Korea on May 15, packed in a diplomatic pouch aboard a commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to Incheon.
Separately, the government has dispatched a technical analysis team from the Ministry of National Defense, consisting of experts from ADD, to Dubai, where the HMM Namoo is being towed, to conduct a detailed examination of the hull damage.
On May 13, Suh Wook, head of the National Security Office, stated during a meeting with the Editors' Association that regarding the projectiles that collided with the Namoo in the Strait of Hormuz, "We need to consider the results of the investigation so far and conduct further inquiries. It could be a drone or a missile; various possibilities are open at this stage."
In response to concerns about why Iran has not been specifically identified as responsible, he explained, "Just because there are circumstances or suspicions does not mean we can blame another country. We need to conduct more investigations and avoid making assumptions. It is customary not to speculate."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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