Advertisement

USS Pueblo: North Korea displays captured spy ship

By Kristen Butler, UPI.com
The U.S. Navy intelligence ship USS Pueblo, captured by North Korea on January 23, 1968. (CC/Nicor)
The U.S. Navy intelligence ship USS Pueblo, captured by North Korea on January 23, 1968. (CC/Nicor)

The USS Pueblo, a U.S. spy ship seized by North Korea in 1968, is expected to be unveiled at a renovated war museum Saturday, to commemorate what they call "Victory Day," the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The U.S. Navy ship has been painted and is on display on the the Pothong River. The North Korean government reportedly hopes the Pueblo will serve as a public reminder of how the country stands up to U.S. power.

Advertisement

Crew who served aboard the Pueblo spent nearly a year in captivity in North Korea. Citing the Navy motto "don't give up the ship," many of the crew are calling for the Pueblo to be returned home.

When the lightly-armed Pueblo was surrounded enemy ships and fighter jets on Jan. 23, 1968, crew frantically attempted to destroy intelligence materials.

But the Pueblo's shredder jammed, leading crew to start burning papers in wastebaskets when there weren't enough weighted bags to throw the documents overboard.

The ship was boarded and one U.S. sailor was killed -- the remaining 82 were taken prisoner. The Pueblo is still listed as a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel -- the only one held by a foreign nation.

Advertisement

Anniversary celebrations in Pyongyang included the grand opening of a cemetery for war veterans, and Supreme leader Kim Jong Un made an appearance to lay a wreath at the memorial.

Latest Headlines

Advertisement

Trending Stories

Advertisement

Follow Us

Advertisement