The Team House Inside SEAL Team 6's Botched Raid into North Korea | Dave Philipps & Matthew Cole | Ep. 370
20 snips
Sep 20, 2025 
Matthew Cole, an investigative journalist and author known for his focus on U.S. special operations, joins Dave Philipps, a military and national security reporter for The New York Times. They delve into SEAL Team 6's botched raid into North Korea, highlighting the political context and the operational challenges faced during the mission. The duo discusses North Korea's muted response, the implications for U.S.-North Korea relations, and the culture within the SEAL community that necessitates reform and accountability.
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Diplomacy And Covert Ops Ran In Parallel
- The Trump administration pursued direct talks with Kim while covert intelligence efforts continued in parallel.
- David Philipps explains the diplomatic outreach and clandestine listening-device program developed independently but intersecting at the White House.
The SDV Mini-Sub Setup
- SEAL Team 6 partnered with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 to use wet mini-subs for the mission.
- Dave Philipps describes SDVs as cold, slow, wet subs that force operators to use scuba gear inside tight confines.
High-Risk Sub-To-Shore Insertion
- The plan used an Ohio-class nuclear submarine to carry SDVs close to the shore for a quick in-and-out planting of a listening device.
- Dave Philipps emphasizes the extreme stealth and physical risks inherent to such coastal insertions.
