Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi is seen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in central Seoul, Wednesday. Koozechi was summoned in connection with Iran's attack on the bulk carrier HMM Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM. Yonhap
What many believed to be true was right. Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed Wednesday that two Iranian missiles were fired at the stern of the bulk carrier Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, near the Strait of Hormuz.
“All evidence points to Iran,” First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said during a briefing announcing the results of the government’s investigation into the May 4 maritime attack in waters off the United Arab Emirates.
Park said a team of experts examined debris recovered from the attacked vessel and found Iranian-made engines and other components used in the anti-ship missiles. Based on their analysis, the government concluded that the weapons were from Iran’s Noor anti-ship cruise missile series.
Two missiles were fired. The first warhead failed to explode, while the second struck the vessel’s stern hull.
Following the briefing, the foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi, to protest the attack and demand accountability from Tehran.
However, the Iranian envoy denied his country’s involvement in the strike. Speaking to reporters, he said he was personally sorry for the incident but insisted that Iran was not responsible and had never been involved in the attack.
The Iranian Embassy has yet to release an official statement regarding the findings.
Iran must clarify its position on the Korean foreign ministry’s briefing. Tehran’s silence will only fuel speculation and suspicions that it is hiding something.
Korea’s release of the investigation results came 23 days after the vessel was attacked. The announcement was long overdue, but several questions about the maritime strike remain unanswered.
Source: Korea Times News
