(2nd LD) Cheong Wa Dae says any attack on civilian ships in Hormuz cannot be tolerated

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 5 paras) SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office said Monday that any attacks on civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be tolerated, condemning the recent attack on the South Korean-operated cargo ship HMM Namu. National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac made the remarks at a press conference, a day after the foreign ministry said two "unidentified airborne objects" struck the vessel in the conflict-hit strait, causing an explosion and fire aboard the ship last week. "Our government maintains that attacks on privately operated vessels, including the HMM Namu, can neither be justified nor tolerated, and we strongly condemn them," Wi noted. He added the government is working to identify who was behind the attack and determine the type of the objects involved, and will take necessary measures based on its findings. The HMM Namu is docked at Drydocks World-Dubai in the namesake city of the United Arab Emirates on May 8, 2026. (Yonhap) For now, however, the government has yet to identify who carried out the attack, the security adviser said, adding that "responses of an appropriate level" will be taken once the matter is clarified. Echoing the foreign ministry, he said there was little possibility of sea mines or torpedoes being involved, citing the pattern of the damage. "In order to prevent a recurrence, (the government) will communicate with related countries and redouble efforts to enhance the safety of our vessels and crew members in the nearby strait," Wi said. "(It will also) continue to participate in international efforts to ensure the security of all vessels, including South Korean ships, as well as their safe passage," he added. The Panama-flagged cargo vessel, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co., suffered an explosion and fire while stranded in the Strait of Hormuz last Monday. A seven-member government team conducted an on-site investigation aboard the vessel to determine the cause of the incident after it was towed from the scene to a port in Dubai on Friday. The attack left a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull, although no injuries or casualties were reported among the 24 crew members on board, including six South Koreans. Iran has so far denied any military involvement in the incident. Wi described the incident as having begun with an unidentified aerial object striking the exterior of the vessel's stern, followed by another object about a minute later, causing a "shock" and then fire and smoke accompanied by shaking. The latest findings mark a departure from the national security adviser's assessment last week that no signs had been found indicating a possible attack. Since then, the government has obtained more information indicating the possibility of an attack, including the rupture in the hull, a senior government official said. Following the incident, a number of ships that had been anchored near the HMM Namu reportedly moved closer to the shore of the United Arab Emirates due to concerns that the area was not safe, the official noted. This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026, shows a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull of the HMM Namu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr(END)