A recent report from the New York Times has unveiled details about a covert mission conducted by Navy SEALs in North Korea in 2019. The operation aimed to plant an electronic device designed to intercept communications from the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un. Unfortunately, the mission failed, leading to the tragic deaths of unarmed North Korean civilians.
This classified operation took place during President Donald Trump’s first term and required direct authorization from the President himself. The timing was particularly sensitive, as it coincided with high-stakes nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea. In light of these revelations, both the White House and the Pentagon have chosen not to comment on the report. CNN has reached out to the US Special Operations Command and North Korea’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York for their perspectives, but responses remain pending.
The operation involved SEAL Team Six’s Red Squadron, which spent months rehearsing a complex plan. It required the Navy to deploy a nuclear-powered submarine into North Korean waters, accompanied by two mini-subs carrying SEALs. The SEALs intended to approach the shore stealthily, swim to the designated target, and install the electronic surveillance device.
SEAL Team Six, a highly secretive US military unit established in 1980, is renowned for executing perilous missions, including the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. However, the North Korea mission took a tragic turn when a North Korean boat, reportedly carrying two or three civilians diving for shellfish, approached the area. In a moment of panic, the SEALs opened fire, resulting in the deaths of these civilians.
Significantly, the report highlights that the Trump administration did not inform key members of Congress about this operation. This lack of transparency raises questions about accountability and oversight regarding military operations, especially those with potential humanitarian consequences.
The relationship between the United States and North Korea has been fraught with tension over the years. In 2017, Trump issued a stark ultimatum to North Korea, warning it against making further threats or facing “fire and fury like the world has never seen.” This warning came during a period when US intelligence analysts believed North Korea had successfully developed a miniaturized nuclear warhead.
Despite these tensions, Trump and Kim engaged in a series of diplomatic gestures in 2018 and 2019, characterized by flattering exchanges and unprecedented summits. In 2019, Trump made history by becoming the first sitting US president to step foot in North Korea, shaking hands with Kim and taking a significant step into the hermit kingdom.
In contrast, the Biden administration has adopted a different approach, focusing on displays of strength and unity with South Korea, along with gradual progress toward denuclearization. This shift in strategy underscores the evolving dynamics of US foreign policy in relation to North Korea, particularly in light of the complex history between the two nations.
This article has been updated with additional information as it becomes available, reflecting the ongoing developments in US-North Korea relations.
