South Korea to join multinational meeting on Strait of Hormuz security

Istanbul (ANTARA) - South Korea will participate in a multinational ministerial-level defence meeting on security in the Strait of Hormuz, following a recent attack on a cargo ship operated by Seoul in the strategic waterway.

Director General of Policy Planning at the South Korean Ministry of Defence, Major General Woo Kyung-suk of the Army, will attend the virtual meeting co-chaired by the United Kingdom and France on Tuesday, according to a report from Yonhap News Agency.

More than 40 countries are expected to join the first high-level conference focused on coordinated maritime security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.

The talks are taking place amid growing international concerns after the US-Iran conflict disrupted shipping routes through the main channel for global energy and fertiliser supplies.

Seoul recently concluded that the explosion and fire on the cargo ship HMM Namu on 4 May were caused by two unidentified flying objects.

South Korea has strongly condemned the attack and pledged to conduct a full investigation to determine those responsible.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac emphasised that attacks on civilian vessels “cannot be justified or tolerated”.

The South Korean government will take necessary measures after the further analysis is completed, he said.

US President Donald Trump previously claimed that Iran had “shot” the HMM Namu and other targets, but the Iranian Embassy in Seoul stressed that Tehran firmly denies any military involvement in the incident.

The attack resulted in no casualties among the 24 crew members of the cargo ship, six of whom were South Korean nationals.

Source: Anadolu