The South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced that the Namu cargo ship, which was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in May, will leave the area in mid-July at the earliest after repairs.
Attack and Investigation
The ship was hit near its stern. In a statement on May 27, Seoul argued that an Iranian-made anti-ship missile was likely used in the attack, and summoned Iran's Ambassador to Seoul Saeed Koozechi to the Foreign Ministry to deliver a protest note.
Yonhap news agency reported that Ambassador Koozechi denied Tehran's involvement in the attack. South Korea later announced in a statement that it could not definitively determine who was responsible or whether the attack was intentional.
Current Situation and Transits
Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs Nam Jae-heon said at a press conference on Wednesday that two ships, including the Namu, are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz with 35 crew members on board. Nam added that 21 South Korean-operated ships have safely passed through the strait since Washington and Tehran signed a ceasefire two weeks ago.
Repair Costs and Compensation
A ministry official stated during the press conference that HMM company is covering the repair costs. The company spokesperson also confirmed to Reuters that they are bearing the costs and will file a claim with the insurance company.
When asked by Reuters whether South Korea would demand compensation from Iran or the US, Nam said an assessment could be made in the future but provided no details.
Background
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to ship traffic after attacks launched by the US and Israel on February 28. This development led to a sharp rise in global oil prices and increased concerns for the world economy.
