Trump Says Korean Ship Was Hit While Acting Alone; MOFA Says Transit Decisions Are Up to Shipping Companies

\r\n\r\n[Financial News] President of the United States Donald Trump claimed that a Korean vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz after acting on its own. That differed from the South Korean government's disclosure that the HMM Namuho, which caught fire after an explosion on the 4th, was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz.
The government has also said that the final decision on whether ships pass through the strait rests with the shipping companies. That has raised criticism that the government may not have properly controlled or monitored risky solo transit by vessels.
On the 5th local time, President Donald Trump claimed that a Korean cargo ship was attacked by Iran while moving alone in the Strait of Hormuz. At a White House event that day, Trump said Korea sources 43% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, then added, "But their ship was attacked. They were not in a convoy, and they decided to act alone." He also said, "And their ship was blown apart yesterday. But the ships protected by the United States were not attacked."
Earlier, MOFA said on the 30th of last month that the final decision on the transit of 26 Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz would be left to the shipping companies. A MOFA official said, "There are many factors to consider, including the safety situation in the strait," and added, "The judgment and decision on transit ultimately rest with the shipping companies."
A government official also said, "As for Japanese vessels that passed through the strait on the 29th of last month, each ship and shipping company is in a different situation, so it cannot be treated the same as our vessels," adding, "The government will continue diplomatic efforts related to this issue until the problem of our ships is resolved."
The official explained, "It is difficult to disclose the details, but our government is taking care of this issue more actively than anyone else."
As some Japanese vessels in a similar position to South Korea's had already cleared the Strait of Hormuz, there were many criticisms expressing disappointment that the South Korean government had not been able to move even one ship out. As a result, some have also questioned whether some Korean vessels may have passed through the strait too aggressively.
The government said it is asking Iran for special cooperation so that the 26 Korean vessels can pass through the strait as quickly as possible, and that it is also maintaining close communication with Gulf states, the United States, and others.
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter