2019 U.S. SEAL Team Six North Korea Mission Fails Killing Civilians

In early 2019, during high-stakes nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea, President Donald Trump approved a covert mission by SEAL Team Six to install an electronic device in North Korea to intercept leader Kim Jong Un's communications. The mission involved infiltrating North Korean waters using mini-submarines and was considered extremely risky, requiring presidential authorization due to potential diplomatic and military consequences. The operation failed when the SEALs encountered a North Korean civilian fishing boat, leading to the unintentional killing of the fishermen and the subsequent aborting of the mission. This incident was not disclosed to Congress during the Trump administration but was later revealed to the Biden administration. The revelation of the botched operation has sparked debate about the risks of publicizing failed covert missions, with concerns about endangering lives and provoking North Korean retaliation. The episode highlights the dangers and unpredictability of secret military actions amidst delicate diplomatic efforts.