To determine the cause of the attack on HMM's carrier Namu (NAMU) in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of National Defense said on the 14th that it has dispatched technical analysis specialists, including personnel from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The ministry, which sent drone and missile experts on the 12th for an initial probe, said the latest deployment is intended to identify the specific cause.

The government says that on the 4th (local time), an explosion and fire occur on the HMM cargo ship Namu near the Strait of Hormuz, caused by a strike from an unidentified aerial vehicle. The United States raises the possibility of an Iranian attack, but the Iranian government denies involvement, and the South Korean government says the exact cause is under investigation. The photo shows the exterior of the vessel damaged by the strike from an unidentified aerial vehicle. /Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lee Kyung-ho, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular briefing that "on the 13th, we sent a technical analysis team to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)," adding, "this team will rigorously investigate the site, analyze various evidence, and work with relevant countries to establish the exact facts and actively support the government's joint response team." He added, "However, disclosure of detailed activities is restricted to ensure a smooth investigation."

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the technical analysis team plans to conduct detailed on-site analysis in Dubai, including an inspection of the hull of the stricken Namu. The ship has a hemispherical hole about 50 centimeters in diameter on the outer plate of the port quarter. The duration of the team's dispatch has not yet been set. The return schedule may change depending on local conditions.

The delegation numbers a little over 10 people, including researchers from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The Ministry of National Defense declined to say whether personnel from other agencies were included. ADD is a national research institute responsible for research and development of weapons systems, and in May 2023 it analyzed salvaged debris after a projectile that North Korea claimed was an "artificial satellite" fell into the West Sea.

This investigation is separate from the detailed analysis to be conducted in Korea on the engine debris of the projectile that attacked the Namu. As the Ministry of National Defense said it is working with relevant countries, some observers say the technical analysis team may also obtain related information through close cooperation with authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have labeled the incident a "drone terror" attack.

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