South Korea to Analyze Debris from Objects That Struck Its Ship in Strait of Hormuz

Engine debris from two unidentified flying objects that struck a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week will arrive in Seoul soon for in-depth analysis, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on May 12, 2026. , causing an explosion and fire. A South Korean government investigation team concluded that a strike by unidentified airborne objects caused the damage.

The source of the strike has not been confirmed. A 7-meter-wide rupture occurred in the hull of the vessel. This photo of the hull rupture was released by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026. The HMM Namu had 24 crew members on board, including six South Koreans, and one crew member sustained minor injuries.

Once it arrives, we will conduct a thorough examination and announce all the details," Cho Hyun stated. The South Korean government is pursuing a plan to bring the debris to South Korea for analysis.

The method and timing of debris transport are under review with consideration for safety and speed. Engine debris recovered from the objects at the scene will undergo additional analysis. The investigation will be conducted jointly by the defense ministry and relevant institutions with necessary expertise.

The foreign ministry denied media reports claiming that debris recovered from the flying objects had been identified as a drone engine. Asked about media speculation that the objects may have been Iran's Shahed-series drones, Cho Hyun stated that it is too early to say whether the objects were Iran's Shahed-series drones. "We do not know yet.

At this point, it is too early to say," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had taken some shots at the HMM vessel and other targets. The Iranian Embassy in Seoul stated that Tehran firmly and categorically denies any involvement by its military in the incident.