Top secret SEAL Team 6 killed North Korean civilians during failed covert mission in 2019: report

A group of Navy SEALs secretly entered North Korea in early 2019 to plant a device to intercept the communications of dictator Kim Jong Un — but ended up firing on unarmed civilians diving for shellfish, puncturing their lungs to conceal their bodies and aborting the mission, according to a report.The top-secret mission, reportedly authorized by President Trump during his first term, was carried out by SEAL Team 6’s Red Squadron — the same unit that killed Osama Bin Laden, the New York Times reported Friday.If successful, the mission could have delivered critical intelligence amid delicate nuclear negotiations between Kim and Trump, the outlet reported based on interviews with two dozen people, including civilian government officials, members of the first Trump administration, and current and former military personnel with knowledge of the mission.The mission was so risky that it required Trump’s direct approval.

If SEALs were caught on North Korean soil, it could have sunk nuclear negotiations or led to a hostage situation, the report claimed.“I don’t know anything about it.I’d have to, I could look, but I know nothing about it,” Trump told reporters Friday when asked about the alleged mission.

“I don’t know anything about it.I’m hearing it now for the first time.”The SEALs rehearsed the mission for months in freezing water and planned to deploy from a nuclear-powered US submarine using two stealth mini-subs — known as “wet subs” — to reach the North Korean coast, the Times learned.Riding for hours in frigid 40-degree seawater with scuba gear and heated suits, a team of about eight SEALs would swim to the shore, plant the device and stealthily escape without the help of overhead drones.

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