Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Gov’t says unidentified objects struck HMM Namu near Hormuz
This photo released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday, shows the damaged hull of the HMM-operated bulk carrier HMM Namu, after it was struck by unidentified objects near the Strait of Hormuz, May 4. The image shows a hole measuring about 5 meters wide and 7 meters deep in the lower section of the hull. The red arrow indicates the direction of frame deformation, while the white markings identify the ship’s internal frame structure. The upper right photo showing HMM Namu pinpoints the damaged section. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Foreign ministry says 2 projectiles hit vessel’s stern, ruling out internal malfunction
The Korean government said Sunday that a joint investigation team has concluded that two unidentified airborne objects struck the stern of the Korean-operated bulk carrier HMM Namu near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government team conducted an on-site inspection on Friday and determined that the unidentified objects hit the vessel’s rear section on May 4.
The ministry said there are limitations in determining the exact type and physical size of the objects, adding that further analysis will be conducted on debris collected at the scene.
The Panama-flagged vessel operated by Korean company HMM caught fire after an explosion while anchored off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. All 24 crew members aboard the ship were reported safe.
At a later briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said two unidentified airborne objects struck the vessel about one minute apart, hitting the port-side outer hull of the stern and triggering flames, smoke and strong vibrations throughout the ship.
“The fire is believed to have started after the first strike and rapidly spread following the second impact,” Park explained.
A photo released by the foreign ministry, Sunday, shows damage aboard the HMM-operated bulk carrier HMM Namu following a fire near the Strait of Hormuz, May 4. The ministry said the incident was caused by unidentified objects striking the vessel. The red markings indicate the area where the fire broke out, while the yellow markings show the direction of hull penetration. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to the investigation, the vessel’s outer hull was damaged across an area about 5 meters wide, with the impact extending roughly 7 meters into the interior of the ship. He added that the ship’s internal frame bent inward while sections of the outer hull protruded outward, indicating an external impact.
Park said investigators found no abnormalities in the vessel’s engine, generators or boiler systems, indicating the fire was unlikely to have originated from within the vessel.
Authorities also recovered debris believed to be from the airborne objects, including engine fragments, for further analysis. However, the government has not yet determined the exact type of projectile or who launched them.
Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi, center, leaves the foreign ministry building at Government Complex Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap
It was also confirmed that Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi visited the foreign ministry later Sunday, shortly after the government released the results of its on-site investigation.
Asked about the visit, Park said Iran was considered “a relevant country” in connection with the incident.
“Iran falls under the category of relevant countries in this matter, and the Iranian ambassador visited the ministry so that we could explain the results of our investigation,” Park said.
Koozechi is said to have met with First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo to hear the explanation of the matter.
“The exact projectile requires additional investigation,” Park said when asked whether the objects were drones or missiles.
He added that the damage pattern and impact height made it unlikely that the vessel had been struck by a drifting mine or torpedo.
Graphic by Bae So-young
The joint investigation team consists of three investigators from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal under the oceans ministry and four forensic specialists from the National Fire Agency. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, voyage data recorder records and crew testimony during the probe.
The vessel was later towed to Drydocks World Dubai for inspection and repairs.
The latest findings mark a shift from the government’s earlier cautious stance. Presidential National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac had said earlier this week that it was “not certain” whether the vessel had been attacked after initial reviews of the information available at the time.
Following the release of the investigation results, Cheong Wa Dae began discussions on possible response measures. The presidential office said the government held a working-level meeting of the National Security Council involving relevant ministries, including the oceans ministry, to discuss the incident, while adding that further details could not be disclosed.
The government also said it would refrain from making premature assumptions about who was responsible for the attack, while planning to communicate the investigation findings to relevant countries, including Iran and the United States.
In addition, the foreign ministry said Seoul is reviewing possible participation in the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Construct initiative aimed at securing key shipping routes in the region.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the region surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route affected by the conflict in the Middle East.