Seoul sent forensic experts to Dubai, where the Namu is being inspected ahead of planned repairs
The damaged stern of a bulk carrier operated by South Korean shipper HMM, after it was struck by two unidentified objects on May 4 while stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, in this handout picture released on May 10, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
The possibility that an entity other than Iran was responsible for the attack against a South Korean cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz is low, a senior official in Seoul was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency on Thursday.
South Korea is analysing intelligence shared by the US on the May 4 attack against South Korean shipper HMM’s Namu vessel, which caused a fire and damaged the lower stern hull, Yonhap quoted a senior foreign ministry official as telling reporters.
“Once we go through the investigation and present the evidence, I trust that the Iranian side will respond in an appropriate way,” the official said.
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Seoul has sent teams of experts to Dubai, where the Namu is being inspected ahead of planned repairs, to conduct a forensic investigation of the damage to the vessel.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said the comments were made “on the premise that Iran is found responsible for the attack through the investigation” and that it would take appropriate measures once the probe concludes.
Iran has previously denied responsibility for the attack that involved a strong impact on the side of the vessel and has since refrained from commenting further as Seoul continued its probe.
US President Donald Trump said soon after the incident that Iran had fired at the South Korean vessel, and urged Seoul to join US-led efforts to secure shipping through the strait.
