URL is copied.

SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung was briefed Wednesday on a recent blast incident involving a South Korean-operated freight ship stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and the latest development in the Middle East conflict.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun briefed Lee on the incident at a Cabinet meeting, two days after a blast and fire were reported aboard the vessel, Namu, operated by major South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. while anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates.

The fire began in the engine room and was extinguished by the crew members. No injuries were reported.

Providing details of the incident, Cho told Lee that the affected vessel will be moved to a nearby port to assess the extent of the damage.

The foreign minister also briefed Lee on U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily suspend "Project Freedom," a U.S. operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lee briefly asked whether Trump had said he would end the war, to which Cho answered, "Yes," adding that the move may be aimed either at evading the 60-day limit on waging war without congressional approval or at seeking a genuine exit strategy.

The president said tersely that he understood, without further comment.

While Trump has claimed that the South Korean-operated vessel was "shot at" by Iran after it decided to "go it alone," South Korea has yet to determine the cause of the blast and subsequent fire.

The incident came amid Trump's growing calls for Seoul to join the "Project Freedom" campaign.

Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday that it was reviewing U.S. proposals regarding the Strait of Hormuz while taking domestic legal procedures into account, but noted that efforts to determine the cause of the ship fire would take precedence.

President Lee Jae Myung (R) speaks at a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on May 6, 2026. (Yonhap)

pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)

Related Articles