Cheong Wa Dae on the 11th issued a stance saying it "strongly condemns" the "HMM Namu attack." It came a week after the incident. But it did not identify the perpetrator as the target of the condemnation. Experts said, "If the perpetrator is defined as Iran, Korea could face U.S. pressure to join military action, and a hasty participation could hurt Korea's national interests in the Strait of Hormuz."
Wi Sung-lac, head of the Cheong Wa Dae Office of National Security, said at a briefing that day, "According to the on-site investigation by the government joint investigation team, two unidentified flying objects struck the stern of the Namu twice at one-minute intervals," while adding, "Through further investigation, we plan to identify the perpetrator and the exact model type."
Wi said, "For now, we are not at a stage to specify the perpetrator," and added, "Until the investigation is concluded, it is hard to say in advance what measures we will take." It was taken to mean the government would not define Iran as the perpetrator. Wi also said that even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador on the 10th, the term "chochi" was not appropriate and it was "communication" with a neighboring country.
Earlier, Iran's state-run Press TV reported on the 6th local time that it "targeted a Korean ship that violated maritime regulations." U.S. President Donald Trump also posted on social media on the 10th that it was an "attack originating from Iran."
Since the start of the Middle East war, the United States has repeatedly pressured Korea to join military action. President Trump requested the "dispatch of warships to the Strait of Hormuz" in Mar., and on the 4th called for participation in "Project Freedom," a military operation to help merchant ships escape the Strait of Hormuz.
In this situation, if the Korean government defines Iran as the perpetrator of the Namu attack, some analysts say it could face U.S. pressure asking, "If Iran carried out a military attack, shouldn't you join military action?"
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek, who is visiting the United States, is scheduled to hold a South Korea–U.S. defense ministers' meeting on the 11th local time. Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference on the 5th, "We hope Korea will do more to help ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, including 'Project Freedom.'"
Korea relies on crude oil that transits the Strait of Hormuz for more than 60% of its supply. If relations worsen with Iran, which controls the area, it could face difficulties securing crude. The recent decision by our government to provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid to Iran, which is at war with the United States, and to dispatch a special envoy can be understood in this context. A Middle East expert said, "If Korea defines Iran as the perpetrator of the Namu attack and joins U.S. military action, Iran may not stand idly by."
A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said that regarding the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Coalition (MFC), a multinational coalition, and whether to join the multinational force led by the United Kingdom and France, "We are considering Korea's participation in all efforts to ensure free and safe passage through the strait, and it is premature to judge whether this is close to a troop dispatch."