Debris from strike on Korean ship in Hormuz to arrive in Seoul soon: FM Cho

This undated handout photo released by Korea's foreign ministry, Monday, shows a damaged part of the Korean cargo ship HMM Namu docked at a port in Dubai. AFP-Yonhap

Engine debris from unidentified flying objects that struck a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week will "soon" arrive in Seoul for in-depth analysis, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday.

On Sunday, the foreign ministry said the strike by two unidentified flying objects caused an explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by major Korean shipping company HMM stranded in the chokepoint, citing the results of an investigation conducted by a government team.

But the ministry said the source of the strike has yet to be confirmed, noting additional analysis will be conducted on engine debris recovered from the objects at the scene.

"(The debris) will arrive here soon. Once it arrives, we will conduct a thorough examination and announce all the details," Cho told reporters, without providing further details.

A ministry official said the government is pursuing a plan to bring the debris to Korea for analysis, while noting that the method and timing of its transport are under review with consideration for safety and speed.

Asked about media speculation that the objects may have been Iran's Shahed-series drones, Cho said, "We do not know yet. At this point, it is too early to say."

"The investigation will be conducted jointly by our defense ministry, as well as relevant institutions with the necessary expertise," he added.

The ministry later denied media reports claiming that debris recovered from the flying objects had been identified as a drone engine.

Experts have raised the possibility that the objects could be suicide drones, such as an Iranian-designed Shahed 136 attack drone, or anti-warship missiles.

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier claimed that Iran had "taken some shots" at the HMM vessel and other targets, but the Iranian Embassy in Seoul stressed that Tehran "firmly and categorically" denies any involvement by its military in the incident.

Following Seoul's announcement, Iran has not issued any additional statement.

The ministry said Korea is maintaining close communication with relevant countries, including Iran and the United States.

Shortly after the ministry announced the probe results Sunday, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met with Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi and briefed him on the findings.

The ambassador said he would fully report the matter to his government, according to Seoul officials. Park also held phone talks with James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, to explain the relevant issues.

Cheong Wa Dae on Monday "strongly" condemned the recent attack on the Korean ship, adding any attacks on civilian vessels in the strait cannot be tolerated.

Although the government initially said no casualties were reported among the 24 crew members on board, including six Koreans, officials later confirmed that one crew member sustained minor injuries.