NYT Report: SEAL Team 6 Mission to North Korea, Mistakes, and Civilian Deaths

Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission

• 🎯 The mission, approved by President Trump in 2019, aimed to plant a newly developed listening device on the North Korean shore.
• 🚀 The plan involved a nuclear-powered submarine deploying two mini-subs carrying Navy SEALs to plant the device.

Encounter and Fatal Engagement

• ⚠️ SEALs encountered an unexpected boat on the shore, mistaking it for a security patrol or sign of discovery.
• 💥 In the dark and uncertain conditions, a senior SEAL made the decision to open fire, resulting in the deaths of everyone on the boat.
• 🎣 Evidence suggests the individuals on the boat were likely unarmed civilians out fishing.

Mission Objectives and Intelligence Gathering

• 👂 The listening device was intended to gather intelligence on Kim Jong-un's thinking during high-level denuclearization talks.
• 🤫 Details about the specific device and its capabilities were intentionally withheld from the report for operational security.

Operational Shortcomings and Oversight

• 📉 The mission suffered from a series of mistakes and shortcomings, leading to the fatal outcome.
• 🚫 The operation was kept hidden from Congress and the public for years, with leadership in intelligence committees not being informed by the Trump administration.
• 🏛️ It was only after the Biden administration took office that the mission details were revealed to relevant congressional committees.

Rules of Engagement

• ✅ Under the pre-authorized rules of engagement, the SEALs had authorization to open fire in such circumstances, even if the target was later identified as civilians.
• ⚠️ The high-risk nature of the mission required sign-off at the highest levels, including the President.