South Korea Investigates Cargo Ship Fire in Strait of Hormuz, Evaluates Joining US Operation
South Korea announced it will investigate the cause of a fire on a South Korean cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. While the US attributed the incident to an Iranian attack and urged South Korea to join its escort mission, South Korea stated it would carefully review its position.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 15:49
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US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency (CNA)
(CNA Seoul, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) South Korea today stated that authorities will investigate the cause of an explosion and fire on a South Korean cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Trump blamed the incident on an Iranian attack and urged South Korea to join US escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea today said it would review its own position.
Agence France-Presse and Reuters reported that the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blockaded since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28th. A South Korean cargo ship caught fire and exploded in this critical waterway yesterday.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry today stated that all 24 crew members on board the vessel, named HMM Namu, including six South Koreans, were unharmed.
The ministry's statement said that authorities would ascertain the exact cause of the accident after the ship is towed to a nearby port to assess the damage.
The cargo ship, flying a Panamanian flag and operated by South Korean company HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine), was empty and anchored at the time of the incident. South Korean officials stated that the fire on board had been 'completely extinguished.'
Trump stated that this incident should prompt South Korea to join US efforts to help guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense today stated that it would 'carefully review our position' but did not commit to any changes.
The Ministry of National Defense said that South Korea would consider its position based on international law, the safety of international shipping lanes, its alliance with the United States, and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The ministry also stated that South Korea has been 'actively participating in relevant international cooperation discussions to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.'
South Korean officials previously stated that 26 South Korean-flagged vessels are currently stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. (Compiled by Lu Ying-Tzu) 1150505
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Central News Agency (CNA)
(CNA Seoul, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) South Korea today stated that authorities will investigate the cause of an explosion and fire on a South Korean cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Trump blamed the incident on an Iranian attack and urged South Korea to join US escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea today said it would review its own position.
Agence France-Presse and Reuters reported that the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blockaded since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28th. A South Korean cargo ship caught fire and exploded in this critical waterway yesterday.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry today stated that all 24 crew members on board the vessel, named HMM Namu, including six South Koreans, were unharmed.
The ministry's statement said that authorities would ascertain the exact cause of the accident after the ship is towed to a nearby port to assess the damage.
The cargo ship, flying a Panamanian flag and operated by South Korean company HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine), was empty and anchored at the time of the incident. South Korean officials stated that the fire on board had been 'completely extinguished.'
Trump stated that this incident should prompt South Korea to join US efforts to help guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense today stated that it would 'carefully review our position' but did not commit to any changes.
The Ministry of National Defense said that South Korea would consider its position based on international law, the safety of international shipping lanes, its alliance with the United States, and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The ministry also stated that South Korea has been 'actively participating in relevant international cooperation discussions to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.'
South Korean officials previously stated that 26 South Korean-flagged vessels are currently stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. (Compiled by Lu Ying-Tzu) 1150505
Choose to stand with the truth; every sponsorship you provide is a force for safeguarding journalistic freedom.
Download the CNA 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated instantly.
Unauthorized reproduction, public broadcast, transmission, or use of the text, images, and audio on this website is prohibited.