The Perilous SEAL Team 6 Mission in North Korea: A Deep Dive
In 2019, SEAL Team 6’s Red Squadron, a unit renowned for its daring operations—including the high-profile takedown of Osama bin Laden—found itself engaging in a covert mission that seemed straight out of a novel. The objective was to infiltrate North Korea and install a listening device designed to track Kim Jong Un’s inner circle. However, what was intended to be a stealthy operation quickly devolved into chaos.
Mission Preparations
The planning for this operation was meticulous and ambitious. As detailed in an upcoming book, the SEALs underwent extensive training in harsh, icy waters, honing their skills for a successful infiltration of the North Korean coastline. Utilizing mini-submarines and scuba gear, the team prepared to execute their plan amidst tense geopolitical conversations between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. This mission was particularly crucial, marking one of the most secretive undertakings of the Trump administration.
Execution Under Darkness
On the designated night, the SEALs embarked on their mission under the cover of darkness. Early stages went according to plan, instilling confidence in the operatives. However, as they neared the shoreline, a North Korean fishing boat appeared unexpectedly. Flashlights sliced through the darkness, and a fisherman leapt into the water, triggering immediate panic within the SEAL team. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to shots being fired.
Tragic Aftermath
Amidst the turmoil, 2 to 3 unarmed fishermen, simply gathering shellfish, lost their lives. In an alarming attempt to eliminate any evidence of the encounter, the SEALs reportedly punctured the fishermen’s lungs to ensure their bodies sank before hastily retreating from the scene without having planted the surveillance device. The mission, rather than succeeding, had ended in tragedy.
Political Fallout
The implications of this operation were both serious and far-reaching. President Trump later asserted he had no prior knowledge of the mission, claiming he learned about it post-factum. Even more concerning was the fact that Congress was never formally briefed about this covert operation, which raised questions about a possible breach of legal protocol.
It wasn’t until 2021, following the transition to Joe Biden’s administration, that an independent review of the mission was initiated. While certain lawmakers received classified briefings, the findings of that review have remained shrouded in secrecy to this day.
What started as a carefully orchestrated plan to enhance intelligence gathering led to the loss of innocent lives, a significant diplomatic debacle, and increased scrutiny on one of America’s most elite military units.
