South Korea’s presidential Blue House on Monday (May 11) strongly condemned an attack on a cargo vessel operated by a Korean shipping company in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month and said it will respond after identifying the source of the attack. According to a Blue House official, experts have conducted an initial forensic inspection of the damaged ship, focusing on the port stern area. The attack reportedly triggered a fire in the vessel’s engine room, raising concerns over maritime safety in the region.

The vessel, identified as Namu and operated by HMM Co., was said to be in compliance with all applicable maritime regulations at the time of the incident while sailing in waters near the United Arab Emirates. Officials described the incident as an unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on a commercial shipping vessel engaged in lawful operations.

“We condemn this in the strongest terms,” presidential national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said during a press briefing. He added that South Korean experts, along with local authorities in Dubai, had confirmed structural damage during a detailed inspection. The damage had not been detected earlier because it was located in a less visible section of the lower port stern.

Officials stated that it is still unclear who was responsible for the attack and whether Iran had any involvement. Tehran has previously denied any responsibility for similar incidents in the region, including claims of striking commercial vessels. On the same day, the Iranian embassy in South Korea issued a statement saying it had no official position on the matter at present but would respond if new information or an official stance emerges.

US President Donald Trump claimed shortly after the incident that Iran had fired on the South Korean vessel. He also urged South Korea to participate in US-led efforts aimed at securing maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and trade shipments.