South Korea is launching a likely days-long investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which all 24 crew members survived unscathed, Yonhap News Agency reported on May 5. U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the explosion on an Iranian attack and urged South Korea to join a U.S.-led mission to secure navigation through the strait, and Seoul's presidential office and defense ministry said it would carefully review its position.

The incident comes as the United States seeks to involve allies in its effort to reopen and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after months of disruption to Gulf shipping and energy flows. South Korea has been cautious about joining for several reasons, one being that its main military priority remains North Korea. However, the fire gives Washington a specific South Korean exposure point to cite as it presses Seoul and other allies to help protect commercial shipping.