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China-Japan-Koreas
How a 'Top Secret' SEAL Team 6 Mission Into North Korea Fell Apart
2025-09-06
[NYTimes]

Update at 4:30 p.m. EDT: Woodrow submitted a post from Gateway Pundit on the subject with commentary, to whit:
In early 2019, SEAL Team 6’s Red Squadron embarked on a covert mission that fell apart and cost lives, deep into North Korean territory to place a covert communications listening device, one of the riskiest operations in recent U.S. military history, the New York Times reported on Friday.

The goal was to plant a communications-interception device to monitor the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un’s private communications. The mission was, according to the Times, personally approved at the highest levels, with then-President Donald Trump allegedly giving the green light.

The covert mission was happening at the same time that Washington was seeking peace deals with the Communist country.

The goal was to plant a communications-interception device to monitor the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un’s private communications. The mission was, according to the Times, personally approved at the highest levels, with then-President Donald Trump allegedly giving the green light.

The covert mission was happening at the same time that Washington was seeking peace deals with the Communist country.

The operation was born out of frustration within U.S. intelligence circles. Despite years of sanctions and surveillance, obtaining reliable intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs remained difficult to obtain. Planners believed that a direct insertion of highly trained operatives might succeed where satellites, drones, and other remote methods had failed.



Despite the meticulous planning, the mission quickly went wrong. As the SEALs approached the shore, a North Korean fishing boat came into view. Believing they had been spotted, the team opened fire. What they encountered, however, were not armed soldiers but unarmed civilians diving for shellfish. Reports indicate that two to three civilians were killed instantly.

Allegedly, Congress was never told about the mission.

President Trump has said to reporters, as well, that he was not told of the operation. Trump, when asked about the operation after reports surfaced, denied prior knowledge. "I’m hearing it now for the first time," he told reporters.

On social media, some users defended the Seals, many defended President Trump, and many contested the accuracy of the New York Times’ story.

The White House and Pentagon have largely declined to comment. Some SEALs involved in the mission reportedly received promotions despite the catastrophic outcome.

Yes it's the Times... Christmas of 88 I met Commander Donald Eiben (Chagrin Falls Ohio)a WWII and Korean war UDT. His team went deep into North Korea and grabbed a ChiCom general. "We lost a lot of good men but we got it done". Unfortunately he killed/drowned himself on the way to the submarine.

Donald also took part in Operation "Fishnet" 1952. "They didn't have air tanks so we cut the Korean diver's ligaments, then drag them down.

Eiben was one of the calmest toughest men we had the honor of knowing.
Posted by:Skidmark

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Posted by: Skidmark   2025-09-06 15:20  

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Posted by: Matt   2025-09-06 11:30  

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