Seoul: Korea's foreign ministry has confirmed that two Iranian missiles were launched at the stern of the bulk carrier Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, near the Strait of Hormuz. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo announced the findings during a briefing on Wednesday, following a government investigation into the attack that occurred on May 4 in waters off the United Arab Emirates.

According to Yonhap News Agency, investigators found Iranian-made engines and components in the debris recovered from the vessel, leading the government to conclude that the missiles were from Iran's Noor anti-ship cruise missile series. The first missile failed to explode, while the second struck the stern of the vessel. In response, the foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi, to protest the attack and demand accountability from Tehran. However, the Iranian envoy denied involvement, expressing personal regret for the incident but maintaining that Iran was not responsible.

The Iranian Embassy has yet to release an official statement regarding the findings. The Korean foreign ministry's briefing came 23 days after the attack, raising questions about the timing and manner of the announcement. Despite evidence pointing to Iran, the ministry stopped short of directly naming Iran as the attacker, a move that has been criticized as contradictory given the summoning of the Iranian ambassador.

The attack endangered Korean sailors, though all crew members survived, with only one sustaining a minor injury. The strike also caused significant damage to the property of the Korean company. The government's cautious approach has faced criticism for potentially emboldening similar actions by other nations.

Initially, Korea's response to the attack was criticized for its ambiguity. The presidential office condemned the strike on May 11 but did not identify the responsible country, citing a lack of clear evidence. However, Iran's Press TV had published claims that Iran was behind the attack, citing violations of maritime rules by the Korean vessel.

The government has been urged to prioritize the protection of Korean nationals and their assets, especially given the potential threat to the lives of Korean sailors and the impact on South Korean ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz during Iran's blockade.