US Navy SEALs: Botched 2019 North Korea Mission Leaves Civilians Dead!
A covert US Navy SEALs mission in North Korea in 2019 resulted in the deaths of North Korean civilians, according to a New York Times report. The mission, allegedly approved by then-President Donald Trump during sensitive diplomatic negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to plant a listening device within the nuclear-armed nation.
Citing unnamed sources, including current and former military officials with knowledge of the classified operation, the report details how the SEALs encountered a group of civilians, reportedly diving for shellfish, as they came ashore. The American forces opened fire, killing all those on board the small fishing vessel. The exact number of casualties remains unspecified.
The White House, Pentagon, and US Embassy in Seoul have yet to comment on the report.
A subsequent classified Pentagon review reportedly concluded that the killings were justified under the existing rules of engagement. The incident occurred during a period of high-stakes diplomacy between the US and North Korea, a relationship that has since deteriorated significantly. Talks have stalled since Trump's last summit with Kim in 2019, and North Korea has continued to advance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
This revelation raises serious questions about the risks associated with covert operations and the potential for unintended consequences, particularly in volatile regions. The incident highlights the complexities of military operations in areas with civilian populations and the importance of adhering to strict rules of engagement.