Seoul says 'unidentified aircraft' struck Korean cargo ship in Hormuz
South Korea's foreign ministry says a Korean cargo ship hit in the Strait of Hormuz six days ago was struck by "unidentified aircraft." U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier claimed that Iran had "taken some shots" at the vessel. The incident has further raised tensions in the critical waterway.
South Korea's foreign ministry said the Panama-flagged HMM Namu, which limped into Dubai with fire damage six days ago after an incident in the Strait of Hormuz, was hit by "unidentified aircraft." The statement followed President Donald Trump's claim that Iran had "taken some shots" at the vessel.
Trump urged Seoul to join U.S. operations aimed at restoring normal shipping through the strait. The vital waterway has been virtually closed since the United States and Israel launched their joint military campaign against Iran, with global tanker traffic forced into longer routes.
Given South Korea's role in Asian supply chains, the incident raises additional cost risks for Korean container, automotive and petrochemical exporters. Seoul's independent operational response and any calls for international investigation will become clearer in the coming days.
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