When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane



Analysis When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane EC-121 incident led US to consider nuke strikes, showing how Kim Yo Jong’s recent warnings could spiral into conflict James Fretwell July 13, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean airmen rush to MiG-21 jet fighters in a documentary that aired on DPRK television \| Image: KCTV (Aug. 3, 2021) North Korea threatened to shoot down U.S. reconnaissance planes flying off its east coast this week, and while it may seem like empty bluster, a look at history shows that it has taken down American aircraft before — and in the process provoked Washington to even consider nuclear strikes. On April 15, 1969, a North Korean MiG-21 opened fire on a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance plane off the east coast of the peninsula, resulting in the deaths of 31 Americans. North Korea threatened to shoot down U.S. reconnaissance planes flying off its east coast this week, and while it may seem like empty bluster, a look at history shows that it has taken down American aircraft before — and in the process provoked Washington to even consider nuclear strikes. On April 15, 1969, a North Korean MiG-21 opened fire on a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance plane off the east coast of the peninsula, resulting in the deaths of 31 Americans. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane

EC-121 incident led US to consider nuke strikes, showing how Kim Yo Jong’s recent warnings could spiral into conflict

James Fretwell July 13, 2023

When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane

North Korean airmen rush to MiG-21 jet fighters in a documentary that aired on DPRK television | Image: KCTV (Aug. 3, 2021)

North Korea threatened to shoot down U.S. reconnaissance planes flying off its east coast this week, and while it may seem like empty bluster, a look at history shows that it has taken down American aircraft before — and in the process provoked Washington to even consider nuclear strikes.

On April 15, 1969, a North Korean MiG-21 opened fire on a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance plane off the east coast of the peninsula, resulting in the deaths of 31 Americans.

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When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane

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