Is the Ministry of National Defense Launching an Investigation into the Attack Method on Namuho?

Suicide Drone Considered Most Likely, with Possibility of Anti-Ship Missile Also Raised

On May 11, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "Based on the confirmed facts, we are communicating with relevant agencies and will continue to provide necessary support," in connection with the confirmation that the fire on the Korean vessel 'Namuho' in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by an external attack. This is interpreted to mean that the military authorities will also assist in investigating the engine debris to identify the perpetrator and the means of the attack.

Yonhap News Agency

At a regular briefing that day, a military official responded in this way when asked whether the military's scope of response would be expanded following confirmation of an external attack on the Namuho. The government announced the previous day, through the release of joint investigation results, that the fire on the Namuho originated from a strike by an unidentified aerial object.

It was found that two unidentified aerial objects struck the stern of the Namuho, which was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, at approximately one-minute intervals, causing the fire. However, the perpetrator, as well as the exact type and physical size of the aerial objects, could not be determined. The government stated it would conduct further analysis of the aerial object engine debris collected at the scene.

The joint investigation was led by a team consisting of three investigators from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and four fire investigation experts from the National Fire Agency, with support from the military authorities throughout the process. The government plans to further clarify the perpetrator and exact means of attack based on the aerial object engine debris found at the scene, and military authorities are also expected to provide additional support for follow-up investigations, such as dispatching experts.

The Iranian government has consistently asserted that its military was not involved in the Namuho explosion and fire. Unless it was a case of misfire, it appears that the party capable of intentionally damaging a civilian vessel would be limited to Iran. However, the government maintains that it will not make any premature conclusions about the perpetrator and will continue with additional investigations.

According to the released images of the attack, a suicide drone—frequently used by the Iranian military—is considered a likely means of attack, while some have also raised the possibility of an anti-ship missile. Experts predict that if the type of engine and components of the aerial object can be identified through debris analysis, the perpetrator and the means of attack can also be determined.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.