SEAL Team 6's Botched Mission in North Korea: A Covert Operation Gone Wrong

In early 2019, during a critical period of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and North Korea, President Donald Trump approved a covert operation involving SEAL Team 6's Red Squadron. The mission aimed to plant a listening device on North Korean soil to intercept communications from leader Kim Jong-un. The operation was deemed so sensitive that it required direct presidential authorization, given the potential risks of escalating tensions with a nuclear-armed adversary.

Media: US forces attempted to land on N.Korea in 2019 in top secret mission

As the SEALs approached the North Korean shore under the cover of darkness, they unexpectedly encountered a small fishing boat. Fearing detection, the commandos opened fire, resulting in the deaths of all individuals aboard the vessel. Reports indicate that the SEALs subsequently attempted to conceal the incident by pulling the bodies into the water and puncturing their lungs to ensure they would sink. The mission was aborted without achieving its objective of planting the surveillance device.

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Following the incident, the Trump administration did not inform key congressional committees about the operation, raising legal concerns regarding transparency and accountability. When questioned about the mission, Trump claimed ignorance, stating, “I could look, but I know nothing about it. I’m hearing it now for the first time.” This denial has been met with skepticism, given the classified nature of the operation and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.

Critics have highlighted the ethical implications of the SEALs' actions, emphasizing the loss of civilian lives during a covert operation that was supposed to enhance U.S. intelligence capabilities. Legal experts have suggested that the failure to notify Congress may constitute a violation of federal law. Matthew Waxman, a law professor and former national security official, noted, “This is exactly the kind of thing that would normally be briefed to the committees and something the committees would expect to be told about.”

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While the New York Times reported that the SEALs killed two to three fishermen, the exact number of casualties remains unspecified across various accounts. Additionally, it is unclear whether North Korean authorities were aware of the incident or its details, as neither the U.S. nor North Korea has publicly acknowledged the operation.

Task and Purpose

In the wake of the revelations, the Biden administration has initiated an independent investigation into the 2019 mission, with findings that remain classified. The incident underscores the complexities and risks associated with covert military operations, particularly in sensitive geopolitical contexts. As U.S.-North Korea relations continue to evolve, the implications of this botched mission may resonate in future diplomatic efforts.

• “Within seconds, everyone on the North Korean boat was dead.” — Dave Philipps and Matthew Cole, The New York Times

• “The point is to ensure that Congress isn’t kept in the dark when major stuff is going on,” — Matthew Waxman, Law Professor, Columbia University

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• “I don’t know anything about it. I’m hearing it now for the first time.” — Donald Trump, Former President of the United States

This incident highlights the precarious balance between military operations and diplomatic negotiations, raising questions about accountability and the ethical conduct of special operations.