US Navy SEALs killed North Korean civilians after being spotted during 2019 mission, NYT reports

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) ascends to the surface during nighttime dive training, June 29, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Katie Cox via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service - DVIDS)

SEOUL  -  U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed a number of North Korean civilians during a botched covert mission to plant a listening device in the nuclear-armed country during high-stakes diplomatic negotiations in 2019, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Citing unidentified sources, including current and former military officials with knowledge of the still-classified details, the newspaper said Donald Trump approved the operation during his first administration, as he was involved in historic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The White House, Pentagon and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.

The civilians appeared to be diving for shellfish when they inadvertently came across the detachment of SEALs as they splashed ashore at night, the Times reported. The American forces opened fire, killing all those aboard the small fishing vessel, the report said, without specifying the number of casualties.

A classified Pentagon review later concluded the killings were justified under the rules of engagement, the report said.

Since Trump's last summit with Kim in 2019, talks have fallen apart and North Korea has forged ahead with its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme.

(Reporting by Josh Smith, editing by Alexandra Hudson and Kevin Liffey // REUTERS)