SEOUL, July 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's Oceans Ministry said on Wednesday the cargo vessel Namu, operated by HMM, would exit ‌the Strait of Hormuz in mid-July at the earliest once ‌the damage sustained in an attack in May was repaired.

The bulk carrier's hull was ​hit near the stern in the attack, which Seoul said on May 27 probably involved an Iranian anti-ship missile, summoning the Iranian ambassador to share the results of its investigation and lodge a protest.

Saeed Koozechi, Iran's ‌ambassador to South Korea, ⁠denied Tehran's involvement, the Yonhap news agency reported, and South Korea later said it could not conclusively determine ⁠who was responsible or whether the attack was intentional.

There are currently two vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, including Namu, with 35 crew ​members on ​board, Nam Jae-heon, vice oceans minister, ​told a press briefing on ‌Wednesday. Nam added that 21 South Korean-operated vessels had passed safely through the strait since Washington and Tehran signed a ceasefire two weeks ago.

HMM is paying for the repairs, a ministry official said at the briefing.

A spokesperson at the company confirmed to Reuters it was covering the ‌cost, adding it would lodge a ​claim with its insurance company.

When asked by ​Reuters whether South Korea would ​ask Iran or the U.S. to pay for the ‌repairs, Nam said South Korea ​may consider a review ​later. He did not elaborate.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks on February 28, ​sending global oil ‌prices sharply higher and raising concerns about the impact on ​the global economy.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Heejin Kim; Editing ​by Tom Hogue and Kate Mayberry)