U.S. ship in N. Korea symbolizes resistance

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

PYONGYANG, North Korea -- In the center of the North Korean capital floats a commissioned vessel of the U.S. Navy.

The USS Pueblo, a spy ship captured by the North in 1968, is moored on a bank of the Daedong River. Despite quiet U.S. moves in recent years to secure its return, the vessel still functions as tourist attraction, trophy and symbol of anti-American struggle.

By no coincidence, the Pueblo is moored on the spot where the first Korean-American interaction took place. In 1866, an armed American steamer, the General Sherman, was destroyed on the Daedong with all hands aboard after it attempted to force trade with Korea. According to a modern tablet at the site, the man who led the attack was none other than the great-great-grandfather of the country's late leader, Kim Il-sung.

Although the story of the General Sherman is near-forgotten history, the Pueblo incident is well documented.

Visitors are guided around by Ryu Ok-hui of Pyongyang's Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. In the wardroom, a cliche-laden propaganda video tells the story of the unlucky vessel.

On Jan. 11, 1968, the 895-ton Pueblo cast off from Sasebo, Japan. Her 83-member crew was tasked with electronic intelligence gathering.

However, as her mission was considered low risk -- the Pueblo would be operating in international waters -- she was armed only with machine guns; her top speed was 12.7 knots. More critically, she was not provided with U.S. air and naval cover.

On Jan. 23, four North Korean torpedo boats and two submarine chasers approached the Pueblo. MiG fighters flew overhead. When North Korean sailors attempted to board, Cmdr. Lloyd Bucher took evasive action and radioed U.S. forces in Japan for assistance. None was forthcoming.

The North Koreans opened fire. The resultant damage, circled with red ink, is clearly visible.

Helpless, Cmdr. Bucher struck his flag. His crew made frantic efforts to destroy classified material, but all cipher machines were captured. One U.S. sailor, Duane Hodges, was killed and others were wounded.