Navy's 2019 "Sea Cat" operation resulted in the tragic loss of life among unarmed North Korean citizens - NYT
In a stunning revelation, a report by The New York Times has disclosed a covert operation conducted by an Elite US Navy unit during nuclear talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in 2019. The operation, carried out using an atomic submarine and two mini-submarines, aimed to install an electronic device to intercept communications of Kim Jong Un.
The Red Squadron of SEAL Team Six was responsible for executing this secret mission. However, key members of Congress were not informed about the operation, a fact that has not been explicitly named in the provided search results. President Trump, when questioned about the 2019 mission, stated that he "knows nothing" about it.
The mission ended in failure, mirroring the outcome of the nuclear talks between the two leaders. The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of two or three unarmed local civilians who were collecting shellfish during the landing on the North Korean coast. The special forces encountered a small boat and opened fire, leading to the tragic incident.
The report is based on the accounts of civilian officials, members of the first Trump administration, and current and former military personnel. It is important to note that declarations of new friendship and vague promises of denuclearization were made during the summits, but these efforts ultimately did not bear fruit.
Trump's approach towards North Korea was marked by a series of significant events. In 2017, he made a threat of "fire and fury" towards North Korea, a remark that escalated tensions between the two nations. Trump and Kim held summits in 2018 and 2019, during which declarations of friendship and denuclearization were made, but the operation and its aftermath suggest a more complex reality.
The failure of the operation and the lack of transparency from the Trump administration raise questions about the conduct of covert operations and the role of Congress in such matters. As the details of this operation continue to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in international diplomacy.
