Two Unidentified Objects Strike HMM Vessel in Strait of Hormuz, South Korea Reports

Seoul announced on May 10, 2026 that an explosion and fire occurred on a South Korean-operated HMM vessel in the Strait of Hormuz after it was struck by two unidentified flying objects. Debris from the strike is to arrive in Seoul soon. Government officials conducted an investigation into the vessel incident in close cooperation with the United Arab Emirates.

Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters in Washington on May 13, 2026 that Seoul was reviewing a phased contribution to efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the same day that South Korea is considering a role in the U.S. freedom of navigation initiative in the strait.

“We said at about this level that, we will participate as a responsible member of the international community and that we will review ways to contribute in a phased manner,” Ahn stated. Possible forms of phased support include expressions of political support, personnel dispatches, information sharing and the provision of military assets.

Ahn added there was no deep discussion on expanding South Korean troop involvement. Any decisions would need to follow domestic legal procedures, he said.

The UK and France chaired a meeting attended by 44 nations including Bahrain, Australia, Japan and South Korea on building an international framework to provide security through military means for the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has proposed an international coalition called the Maritime Freedom Construct.

President Lee Jae Myung participated in an online summit led by France and Britain last month relative to May 13, 2026 to discuss safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran stated that any military framework enacted by international state-actors will be treated as an escalation by Iranian decision-makers. South Korea is to participate in a defense ministers' meeting on Hormuz after the ship blast.