"Pirates On Board": Tanker Sends Desperate SOS, South Korean Warship Dispatched

An unauthorized boarding incident has occurred on a tanker sailing in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, and it is reported that a naval asset, believed to be a South Korean warship, is heading toward the scene.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on the 17th (local time), a report was received around 11:00 a.m. that unauthorized individuals had boarded the chemical tanker 'Asana' while it was sailing approximately 120 km off the coast of the Yemeni port city of Al Mukalla.

The British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the boarding party as suspected Somali pirates and stated that the tanker did not appear to have a private armed security team on board.

Ambrey also reported that a South Korean warship is heading to the area in response to the distress signal sent by the vessel.

As the South Korean naval unit currently performing missions in the Gulf of Aden is the ROKS Wang Geon of the 48th Cheonghae Unit, there is speculation that it is highly likely the vessel in question.

However, it has not yet been officially confirmed whether the South Korean warship has arrived at the scene, the exact identity of the boarding party, or whether any hostages have been taken.

This incident comes amid growing security concerns surrounding key maritime trade routes in the Middle East, following recent military clashes between the United States and Iran.

Military conflicts between the U.S. and Iran continue in the Strait of Hormuz, while threats to vessels by the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen persist in the Red Sea.

With the resurgence of Somali pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden, the entire maritime transportation network in the Middle East is now facing new sources of instability.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.