• US Navy SEALs shot North Korean civilians during a failed 2019 mission.
• The operation aimed to plant a listening device amidst diplomatic talks.
• Trump approved the mission, which ended in civilian casualties.
• A Pentagon review concluded the actions were justified under engagement rules.
• Details were kept classified, raising concerns about military transparency.

The US Navy SEALs undertook a covert operation in 2019 intended to plant a listening device in North Korea, approved by then-President Donald Trump during critical diplomatic negotiations with Kim Jong Un. Reportedly, this mission’s high stakes and risks necessitated direct presidential authorization, reflecting the gravity of espionage activities amid such sensitive talks, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

As the mission unfolded, SEAL Team 6 encountered civilians diving for shellfish off the coast. Believing they had been compromised, the SEALs opened fire, resulting in the deaths of those aboard a small fishing vessel. The earlier intent to gather intelligence went awry as the SEALs returned without completing their mission, according to TRT Global and The Times of India.

Details that have emerged indicate that, after the shooting, SEALs attempted to conceal the incident by disposing of civilian bodies to avoid detection by North Korean authorities. Reports indicated that members of the unit used knives for this purpose, complicating the narrative surrounding the mission and adding layers to the secrecy enveloping military activities, as noted by Al Jazeera and Dawn.

A review conducted by the Pentagon determined that the actions of the SEALs were justified under the rules of engagement, despite the incident raising questions about the ethics and oversight of such covert operations. Concerns were voiced about the lack of transparency regarding military actions, reflecting ongoing debates about accountability in U.S. military operations, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.