This undated handout photo released by Korea's foreign ministry, Monday, shows a damaged part of the Korean cargo ship HMM Namu docked at a port in Dubai. AFP-Yonhap
Engine debris from "unidentified airborne objects" that struck a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week will soon arrive in Seoul for in-depth analysis, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday.
On Sunday, the foreign ministry said the strike by two unidentified flying objects caused an explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by major Korean shipping company HMM stranded in the chokepoint, citing the results of an investigation conducted by a government team.
But the ministry said the source of the strike has yet to be confirmed, noting additional analysis will be conducted on engine debris recovered from the objects at the scene.
"(The debris) will arrive here soon. Once it arrives, we will conduct a thorough examination and announce all the details," Cho told reporters.
Asked about media speculation that the objects may have been Iran's Shahed-series drones, Cho said, "We do not know yet. At this point, it is too early to say."
"The investigation will be conducted jointly by our defense ministry, as well as relevant institutions with the necessary expertise," he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier claimed that Iran had "taken some shots" at the HMM vessel and other targets, but the Iranian Embassy in Seoul stressed that Tehran "firmly and categorically" denies any involvement by its military in the incident.
Following Seoul's announcement, Iran has not issued any additional statement.
Cheong Wa Dae on Monday "strongly" condemned the recent attack on the Korean ship, adding any attacks on civilian vessels in the strait cannot be tolerated.
Source: Korea Times News
