/Agencia Reuters
The presidential Blue House of South Korea on Monday, May 11, condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated this month against a cargo ship operated by a South Korean shipping company, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), in the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts conducted an initial forensic analysis of the damage to the stern on the port side. The investigation team concluded that the impact of “unidentified aerial objects” caused the explosion and fire aboard the HMM Namu.
“The vessel did not violate any of the regulations in force at that time in the waters off the United Arab Emirates, and this was a case of an attack against a commercial vessel that cannot be justified,” stated a South Korean official.
“We condemn this in the strongest terms,” declared Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s presidential national security advisor, at a press conference.
“The damage to the vessel was identified during the forensic inspection conducted by South Korean officials and experts at a port in Dubai,” Wi said.
According to a Blue House official, the damage was not known immediately after the attack due to its location on the lower part of the port side of the stern.
It is not known what role, if any, Iran may have had in the attack, the official noted. Tehran has previously denied any responsibility for the aggression, which consisted of a strong impact on the side of the ship.
On Monday, May 11, the Iranian embassy in South Korea stated in a communiqué that it had no position on the matter, but that it would announce if any update or official position occurred.
United States President Donald Trump said shortly after the incident that Iran had fired at the South Korean vessel and urged Seoul to join US-led efforts to secure navigation through the strait.
