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The HMM Namu’s launching ceremony in Guangzhou, China, in September 2025. The ship reported an explosion and fire on May 5, 2026, as it was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. (via Korean Register)

A cargo ship operated by the Korean firm HMM that was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates experienced an explosion and fire on Monday. The cause has yet to be determined. Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that all 24 crewmembers, including six Korean nationals, were unharmed.

The Korean government plans to ascertain the exact cause of the accident after the ship has been towed to a port in Dubai. 

This incident occurred after the US initiated its “Project Freedom” in a bid to liberate ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran launched counterattacks against what it characterized as a violation of the ceasefire.

In a post on his Truth Social media platform after the explosion on the ship, Trump urged Korea to join US operations in the region.

“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” he wrote.

But it remains unclear whether the fire on the HMM Namu was the result of a direct attack by Iran, as Trump claimed. The US president didn’t offer any grounds to back his assertion that Iran had attacked the Korean cargo ship.

The Korean shipping company said that “a fire broke out after an unexplained blast was heard on the left side of the engine room, after which the crewmembers suppressed the fire.” Simply put, it remains possible that the fire was the result of engine failure.

The Korean government said on Monday that it will investigate the cause of the accident after the ship has been towed, which is a wise course of action.

Since it is unclear whether the explosion was caused by an external attack or an internal malfunction, it would be rash and dangerous to take action based on unilateral claims. Once the facts have been established, Korea can calibrate its response, whether that means diplomatic measures or something more.

The Blue House said on Monday that “the safety of international shipping lanes and the freedom of navigation, which benefit all countries, are principles that must be protected under international law.”

“That is the context in which we’re taking note of President Trump’s comments,” the presidential office went on. “We’re reviewing the US’ proposal about the Strait of Hormuz in connection with these principles, readiness on the Korean Peninsula, and domestic legal considerations.”

Despite its emphasis on the freedom of navigation, the Blue House remains cautious about actually joining the US’ operations. This cargo ship is one of 26 Korean ships that are currently trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, with a total of 160 Korean sailors aboard.

We urge the administration to find the best way to guarantee the safe return of Korean ships and crew while also taking firm action in response to the incident aboard the HMM Namu.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]