South Korea Says Probe Into Hormuz Strait Vessel Attack In Final Stage

SEOUL, May 20 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that an investigation into the attack on a South Korean-operated commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was in its final stage, adding that the government plans to disclose the findings once completed, Yonhap News Agency reported.

A government investigation team earlier concluded that two unidentified flying objects struck the HMM Namu on May 4, causing an explosion and fire aboard the vessel. Additional investigation into engine debris recovered from the objects is under way to identify the objects and those responsible for the incident.

"The investigation appears to be almost in its final stage," Cho said during a parliamentary committee session, adding that experts, including military personnel dispatched from the United Arab Emirates, participated in the initial probe.

Regarding responsibility for the attack, Cho said it remains difficult to conclusively identify the perpetrator.

"It is difficult to accurately specify (the attacker)," he said. "We plan to report the investigation results to the committee and announce them to the media."

Cho also said he has maintained close communication with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, by holding five phone calls and dispatching a special envoy to Iran.

"I clearly told Minister Araghchi that they should also look into the matter and cooperate for an accurate investigation," he said.

Cho said HMM Co., the vessel operator, had submitted CCTV footage to the government but opposed its public release.

Separately, Cho assessed a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held in Lee's hometown of Andong, 190 kilometres southeast of Seoul, on Tuesday as a "success."

"I believe the president's strategic judgment, the good chemistry between the two leaders, and the changing and difficult international situation all contributed to making the Korea-Japan summit in Andong a success," Cho said.

During Tuesday's summit, Lee and Takaichi agreed to strengthen cooperation in supply chains, and in securing crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies amid concerns over supply disruptions stemming from the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP