Korean gov't condemns attack on Korean-operated vessel in Strait of Hormuz

The damaged stern of the HMM Namu, a bulk carrier operated by Korean shipper HMM, is seen in this photo released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday, after it was struck by two unidentified objects on May 4 while stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The upper right photo showing HMM Namu pinpoints the damaged section. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap

The presidential office on Monday condemned attacks on a bulk carrier operated by the Korean shipping company HMM near the Strait of Hormuz, calling attacks on civilian vessels unacceptable.

While the government has not made a conclusion over who attacked the HMM Namu, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said it will join international efforts to guarantee safe passage and operation of ships through the strait.

“The government strongly condemns attacks on civilian vessels such as the HMM Namu, as such actions cannot be justified or tolerated,” Wi said during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae.

“We intend to identify the perpetrator, the exact type of equipment used and its physical specifications through further investigation. Accordingly, we will also consider necessary response measures.”

His remarks came a day after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the initial findings regarding the investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire aboard HMM Namu.

The ministry, citing an investigative team dispatched to the scene, said two separate airborne objects struck the ship approximately one minute apart at around 3:30 p.m. on May 4 (local time) while it was anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where Iran claims to have expanded its asserted control.

The impact caused damage that rendered the HMM Namu inoperable, and while the objects have not been identified, the incident marks the first attack on a Korea-linked vessel since the war between the United States and Iran began on Feb. 28.

The ministry did not conclude whether the damage resulted from attacks made by Iran as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed immediately after the incident, saying further inspection is required in determining who was responsible.

Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeid Koozechi visited Seoul's foreign ministry shortly after the announcement of the investigation findings to listen to the ministry's explanation about the incident as "a relevant country."

A Cheong Wa Dae senior official also said the government has not identified the responsible party and is making efforts to determine it.

“No specific country has been identified, though multiple countries are being considered as possible actors,” the official said.

He went on to say that, until the responsible party is identified, it is difficult to make assumptions or to state in advance what actions will be taken.

“The measures we are considering or implementing will not be significantly different from how other countries respond to similar situations in general," he added.

The official said that the incident does not necessarily mean Korea will more actively consider joining the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), a U.S.-led initiative in the strait.

“It is not clear whether this incident will lead to any further progress in our position or to a more active consideration of participation in the U.S.-led operation," he said.

The U.S. has been promoting initiatives such as the MFC and the now temporarily suspended Project Freedom, while the United Kingdom and France have jointly been leading their own multinational coalition efforts. Either option would entail the deployment of military assets.

Meanwhile, analysts said Korea will need to more seriously consider joining international efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation in the strait.

They said the government should no longer remain cautious about actively participating in efforts to police the strait, as the strike on HMM Namu points to the risks faced by Korean-linked commercial ships if left unprotected.

“The government, until now, has pursued what it described as balanced or pragmatic diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran, but that stage now appears to have passed,” said Jang Ji-hyang, a principal fellow and director of the Center for Regional Studies at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Park Won-gon, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, voiced a similar view, although he said such a step should be preceded by talks between Korea and Iran or, if that fails, addressed at the United Nations level, before moving on to military involvement in ensuring freedom of navigation.

“We would need clear evidence — a kind of smoking gun — definitively showing Iran was responsible, but judging from the circumstances, Iran’s involvement appears increasingly likely, especially given that Iranian state media has effectively acknowledged it,” Park said.

He explained that, if Iranian involvement is confirmed, Korea should pursue diplomatic measures by demanding an apology from Iran, seeking guarantees against further strikes and requesting compensation related to the incident.

“If it fails, the response should move to a second stage, including more active participation in sanctions, such as possible unilateral sanctions by Korea and efforts to bring the issue before the U.N. Security Council and seek a joint statement condemning Iran,” he said, adding that any military participation should come only as a last resort.