As President Tump lays the groundwork for the historic summit with North Korea, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton is urging him to to ask dictator Kim Jong-un for a show of good faith and return the USS Pueblo to our shores.
The naval intelligence ship was illegally seized by the regime 50 years ago while sailing in the Sea of Japan, and has been moored since then in Pyongyang where it’s used for communist propaganda.
Petty Officer Duane Hodges was killed in the ordeal, and the 52 surviving crew members were held in captivity for nearly a year and tortured by their North Korean captors.
The USS Pueblo remains the only commissioned vessel by the U.S. Navy to be held in enemy hands.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of North Korea’s seizure of the USS Pueblo and I like many others in our state want to see this ship returned home,” said Tipton. “The historic summit that is to be held between the United States and North Korea presents a rare opportunity to directly make this request.”
The U.S. Senate, State of Colorado and City of Pueblo have passed numerous resolutions and proclamations seeking the return of the USS Pueblo to no avail. We agree with Tipton, it’s time for the USS Pueblo to return home, and when the summit convenes, we should demand it.
