Cheong Wa Dae strongly condemns attack on HMM Namuho, says humanitarian aid to Iran remains unchanged

Cheong Wa Dae strongly condemned the confirmed finding that the fire incident involving the HMM Namuho in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by strikes from unidentified flying objects.
However, Cheong Wa Dae did not identify who should be condemned. It also said humanitarian aid to Iran will remain unchanged, regardless of the attack.
At a press briefing in the main briefing room of the Chunchugwan Press Center at the Blue House on the 11th, Wi said, "Our government strongly condemns this, as attacks on civilian vessels such as the HMM Namuho cannot be justified or tolerated."
In its first joint government investigation briefing the previous day, MOFA said two unidentified flying objects struck the stern of the Namuho twice at about one-minute intervals.
Wi explained, "At the time of the incident, the vessel had damage to a significant section about 1 to 1.5 meters above the sea surface," adding, "Given the damage pattern caused by blast pressure and the hemispherical penetration marks, the possibility of a mine or torpedo strike appears low."
However, the government said it has not yet identified the attackers, the exact type of flying object, or its physical size. Wi said, "More detailed information about the flying objects requires further investigation," and added, "Through additional inquiries, our government aims to identify the attackers, the exact type, and the physical size."
Cheong Wa Dae explained its cautious stance early in the incident, saying, "At the time, we had not received reports of any breach in the hull, and neither flooding nor a list of the vessel had been confirmed," and "There were reports of an external impact, but it was difficult to make an overall judgment." It said the government had not ruled out an attack, but had simply withheld judgment.
Regarding the analysis of debris from the flying object, Cheong Wa Dae said, "Some debris has been identified and is in the government's possession," adding, "A first round of inspection has been conducted, but further expert analysis is needed."
It also said the delay in confirming CCTV footage was due to security concerns. A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, "CCTV footage facing the stern was used as reference, but I understand it took time because the material was shared after procedures such as securing data from the KMST and implementing security measures."
Cheong Wa Dae also drew a clear line, saying it did not summon the Iranian Ambassador to South Korea in protest over the attack on the Namuho. It added that there would be no change to its humanitarian aid plan for Iran.
A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, "No country has been specifically identified as the attacker, and we are considering the possibility of several countries," adding, "For that reason, there is no new review or change regarding aid to Iran."
The South Korean government decided last month to provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid to Iran. However, the attack on a South Korean vessel occurred shortly after that decision.
Cheong Wa Dae also said that, amid speculation about Iran's involvement, the Iranian ambassador's visit to MOFA the previous day was not a summons. It described the meeting as a consultation with the ambassador.
MOFA called Saeed Koozechi, Iran's ambassador to South Korea, to the Government Complex-Seoul on the 10th. Diplomats interpreted the move as a summons. Koozechi has repeatedly denied that Iran attacked the Namuho.
Cheong Wa Dae also reiterated that the Namuho was attacked while anchored. A senior official said, "It had been moved slightly away from its original position and had remained stationary since April 30," emphasizing that it had been in a stopped state for several days, so it could not be said to have violated any rules.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that "a Korean vessel was sailing alone and got hit." Iran's state-run media also offered a different account, saying the South Korean vessel became a target because it violated regulations.
Kim Kyung-soo, Seong Seok-woo, reporters