A hole 5 m wide and 7 m deep is confirmed on the lower hull of HMM Namuho./Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The government said that the fire on a Korean ship that occurred on the 4th near the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stemmed from a strike by an unidentified aerial vehicle.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 10th the results of a joint government investigation to this effect. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The investigation confirmed that on May 4 an unidentified aerial vehicle struck the stern of HMM (Namuho)," noting a preliminary conclusion that the Namuho fire resulted from an external cause.

Spokesperson Park Il of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Two unidentified aerial vehicles struck the port-side after peak tank outer shell at the stern of HMM Namuho twice at about one-minute intervals," adding, "Flames and smoke accompanied by vibration after the impact from the strike were confirmed." Park continued, "The port-side stern outer shell was damaged to a width of about 5 meters and to a depth of about 7 meters into the hull," and "the frame inside the hull was bent inward, and the outer shell of the hull protruded outward and was bent."

Regarding who carried out the attack, the ministry said, "There are constraints on verifying the exact model and physical size," adding that it plans to further analyze debris collected at the scene.

On the 8th (local time), the bulk carrier HMM Namuho is moored at the Drydocks World Dubai repair yard at the Port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. According to HMM and the Consulate General in Dubai, a government investigation team boards HMM Namuho and begins a full-scale probe into the cause of the fire./Courtesy of Yonhap News

Shortly after the Namuho fire, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "There was fire from Iran," but the Korean government maintained a cautious stance, saying it was "still investigating."

On the 5th (local time), at a White House event, President Trump said Korea procures 43% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, then added, "Their ship was attacked. They were not in a convoy and chose to act alone."

Iran's state-run Press TV reported on the 6th that it "targeted a Korean ship that violated maritime regulations." It added that "Iran's targeting of a Korean ship that violated newly established maritime regulations is a clear signal that Iran will exercise its sovereign rights through kinetic action."

Saeid Koozechi, Iranian ambassador to Korea, leaves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, "A government joint investigation team for HMM Namuho, which was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, conducted an on-site investigation on the 8th," adding, "The investigation confirms that on the 4th an unidentified aerial vehicle struck the stern of Namuho."/Courtesy of News1

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Saeed Koozechi, the Iranian ambassador to Korea, that day. Spokesperson Park drew a line, saying it was only to explain the preliminary findings, but some observers said Korea may be seeking to hold Iran accountable. If it is confirmed that Iran carried out the strike on the Namuho, significant diplomatic and security repercussions are expected.

Spokesperson Park said, "To thoroughly identify the cause of this incident and prevent a recurrence, the government intends to make every effort to ensure the safety of our people by pursuing all possible measures, including cooperation with the international community."

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