Pueblo incident
The Pueblo incident refers to the seizure of the USS Pueblo, a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, by North Korean naval forces on January 23, 1968. The vessel, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Lloyd Bucher, was on a reconnaissance mission off the coast of North Korea when it was intercepted and ultimately boarded after a confrontation that resulted in the death of a crew member. Following the capture, Bucher and eighty-one crew members were imprisoned, tortured, and coerced into making false confessions regarding espionage activities. This incident led to lengthy diplomatic negotiations between the United States and North Korea, culminating in the crew's release on December 23, 1968, although the North Koreans retained possession of the ship.
The event sparked significant controversy in the U.S., with public opinion divided over the actions taken by Bucher and his crew, as well as the government's handling of the situation. Additionally, the incident impacted U.S.-South Korea relations, as South Korea felt excluded from negotiations and concerned about its security in the face of perceived North Korean aggression. The Pueblo incident remains a notable episode in Cold War history, highlighting themes of military engagement, international diplomacy, and national security.
Pueblo incident
Date: January 23, 1968
Capture of the USS Pueblo by North Korean naval personnel. Internment and torture of the ship’s crew provoked a diplomatic crisis and severe criticism of the U.S. Navy.
Origins and History
The USS Pueblo, a U.S. Navy freighter equipped with electronic intelligence equipment, was on an information-gathering mission off the coast of North Korea when it was captured.
The Incident
The USS Pueblo, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Lloyd Bucher, was intercepted by North Korean naval forces while traveling off the North Korean coast. When confronted and harassed by the North Koreans, Bucher reacted by asserting the Pueblo’s rights as a vessel in international waters. When the Koreans became more aggressive, he called for help and began destroying classified materials. After one man was killed and several wounded by shelling, he surrendered. The ship was forcibly boarded and towed to Wonsan January 21-23, 1968. Bucher and eighty-one crew members were imprisoned, tortured, and forced to broadcast espionage confessions. Lengthy negotiations ensued, with the United States and North Korea periodically holding talks at Panmunjom. After the United States apologized for spying, an apology that it repudiated in advance, the Pueblo crew members were released December 23, 1968; however, North Korea kept the ship. A Court of Inquiry, convened January 20, 1969, recommended Bucher’s court-martial. The commander of the Pacific Fleet reduced the sentence to a letter of reprimand. The Secretary of the Navy, however, dropped all charges.
Impact
South Korea was displeased that it was not included in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s early negotiations with North Korea and felt that the United States was not showing enough concern for South Korea’s welfare. The United States, which viewed the seizure of the Pueblo as a sign of North Korea’s continuing aggression, eventually increased its support of South Korea, granting an additional $100 million in military aid and moving additional aircraft to that nation. In the United States, a debate ensued over whether the Pueblo had been in international waters as the U.S. government claimed or within North Korean territorial waters, engaging in espionage. The ship’s capture was an election year embarrassment to Johnson’s administration. Many Americans asserted that the Pueblo should have resisted capture, fighting until it sunk, and that the crew and captain violated their duty in confessing to espionage. Other Americans criticized the military for inadequately preparing and supporting the Pueblo and for not forcibly retaliating after the seizure.
Additional Information
Bucher presents his story in Bucher: My Story (1970). Admiral Daniel Gallery’s The Pueblo Incident (1970) criticizes the Pueblo’s crew, the authorities, and the general public.