▲ This photo, released by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026, shows a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull of a South Korean-operated vessel, the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. South Korea has concluded that a strike by "unidentified airborne objects" caused the explosion and fire aboard the vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) S Korean vessel-Hormuz attack

(2nd LD) Iran-linked missiles behind attack on S. Korean vessel in Hormuz: foreign ministry

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead with gov't probe results; ADDS more details throughout; TRIMS)

SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- Anti-ship missiles developed and used by Iran are believed to have been used in an attack against a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The ministry, however, reserved a decision on whether the attack may have been intentional.

"Technical analysis concluded that the unidentified airborne objects were likely Noor-series anti-ship missiles developed by Iran," First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said at a press briefing announcing the outcome of the government's weekslong probe into the incident.

The ministry earlier said the ship, HMM Namu, operated by major South Korean shipping company HMM Co., was hit by "two unidentified airborne objects" on May 4 while stranded in the crucial waterway amid the U.S.-Iran conflict.

A government investigation team has since conducted an in-depth analysis of engine debris recovered from the objects to determine their nature and identify those responsible for the incident.

The ministry plans to summon the Iranian ambassador to South Korea to deliver a strong protest over the attack on a South Korean vessel, while demanding "responsible measures, including steps to prevent a recurrence," Park said.

The missiles are used by the Iranian navy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and pro-Iran groups, while the exact perpetrator and intent of the attack could not be confirmed, he added.

The attack caused an explosion and fire aboard the ship, leaving one of the 24 crew members with minor injuries.

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