South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said a joint investigation concluded an unidentified aerial vehicle struck the stern of the HMM vessel Namu on May 4 in the Strait of Hormuz, but investigators remain unable to identify the platform type or exact size. The ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Kouzechi, to its Jongno office in Seoul to brief him on the findings. Foreign Ministry spokesman Park Il told a May 10 briefing that investigators determined two unidentified aerial vehicles struck the ship’s stern. He said the engine-room fire appears to have been ignited by the first strike and then spread rapidly after a second strike. Officials currently assess the fire’s origin was external to the vessel. The ministry added it has not established whether the strikes were carried out by Iranian systems such as Shahed drones, which can vary explosive effects by swapping warheads.
Asked why authorities have not yet identified the attacker despite wreckage at the scene, Park said detailed forensic analysis of debris will be required, so attribution is not possible at this stage.
On the Iranian ambassador’s visit, the ministry said Iran is a party of interest and its envoy came to receive an explanation of the investigation results. Seoul said it is communicating with concerned countries based on verified facts and will take necessary steps going forward.
Earlier, a government investigation team — three members from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and four forensic experts from the National Fire Agency — examined the cause of the fire aboard the Namu at Dubai Port.
The Namu, delivered to HMM earlier this year, had completed a cargo run to Saudi Arabia and became trapped in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities broke out. Around 8:40 p.m. on May 4, an explosion and fire occurred aboard the vessel. Twenty-four crewmembers were aboard, including six South Korean nationals; there were no injuries.
Shortly after the incident, former U.S. President Donald Trump said “Iran fired,” but the South Korean government urged caution, saying the matter remained under investigation.
The Iranian embassy in Seoul has strongly denied any claim that Iran’s military was involved in the Namu explosion. With Seoul’s probe indicating the Korean vessel was struck, confirmation that Iran carried out the attack would likely escalate into a diplomatic crisis.
