HMM 나무호 화재: 외부 공격 확인, 청와대의 강력한 규탄 메시지

[Anchor] As investigators concluded that the fire aboard the HMM vessel Namu was caused by an external aerial attack, the Blue House issued a strong condemnation. It did not name a perpetrator but said it will take appropriate measures once its assessment is complete. This is reporter So Jae-hyung. [Reporter] After authorities determined the HMM Namu fire was caused by an external flying object, the Blue House delivered a firm message. [Wi Seong-rak / Director of the National Security Office] Our government strongly condemns attacks on civilian vessels such as the HMM Namu. Such actions are neither justified nor acceptable. Wi said the government will continue communicating with relevant countries to prevent recurrence and will intensify efforts to protect ships. On possible participation by a U.S.-led maritime coalition to uphold freedom of navigation or by a UK- and France-led multinational force, a senior Blue House official said Seoul’s basic position is to cooperate as needed to secure safety in the strait. Officials said they are being cautious about identifying the attacker. “We are working to identify who carried out the attack,” one official said, “but until then, it is difficult to speculate or preemptively announce what measures we will take.” He added that the government will respond at an appropriate level once its assessment is clear, and that the response would be broadly consistent with how other countries have handled similar strikes. [Wi Seong-rak / Director of the National Security Office] Through additional investigation, we aim to identify the attacker, the exact type of aircraft, and its physical size. We will consider the necessary countermeasures accordingly. The Blue House also clarified that when it recently summoned Iran’s ambassador to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting was intended for fact-finding rather than a formal reprimand. It reiterated that Iran’s involvement remains unknown and that all possibilities are being kept open during the ongoing inquiry. Responding to criticism that earlier comments—saying it was difficult to definitively call the incident a strike—contradicted the investigation’s findings, officials explained that CCTV footage showing the ship’s stern was reported to authorities somewhat later in the process. This is So Jae-hyung of Yonhap News TV. [Video reporters: Lee Il-hwan, Yoon Je-hwan, Jung Chang-hoon] [Video editor: Kim Kyung-mi] [Graphics: Min Seung-hwan] [News review] For Yonhap News TV story tips or inquiries: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; So Jae-hyung (sojay@yna.co.kr)