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

SEOUL, May 12 (Yonhap) -- Engine debris from "unidentified airborne objects" that struck a South 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 South Korean shipping company HMM Co. 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. 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. This photo, released by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026, shows a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull of a South Korean-operated vessel, the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. South Korea has concluded that a strike by "unidentified airborne objects" caused the explosion and fire aboard the vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week. (Yonhap) 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. Cheong Wa Dae on Monday "strongly" condemned the recent attack on the South 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 South Koreans, officials later confirmed that one crew member sustained minor injuries. graceoh@yna.co.kr(END)