PUEBLO SITREP NO. 29

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00928324
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2021
• Case Number: F-2018-00781
• Publication Date: February 2, 1968

Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00928324
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Sc No. 07663
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
2 February 1968
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Pueblo Sitrep No. 29
(As �of 5:00 PM EST)
1. North Korea today broadcast an alleged con-
fession by Lt. Stephen Robert Harris, "first officer"
of the Pueblo, admittimg that he was a spy. The voice
describing itself as Harris said he was a research
officer on the Pueblo and had been engaged in collect-
ing military intelligence from North Korea and the
Soviet Far East under orders from the National Security
Council and the U.S. Command in Japan.
2. Harris allegedly said "I deeply repent and
sincerely apologize" to North Korea "for my criminal
act" and promised that if Pyongyang "forgives gen-
erously and allows me to return home . . I will
never again associate myself with such activities."
The speaker further promised he would "never commit
again such an atrocious crime against other countries"
when he returned home but would "oppose the administra-
tion policy of aggression against other countries."
3. A Lt. Harris was the officer in charge of
the security group detachment on the Pueblo.
4. Grid ging approval marks initial South Korean
reaction to the announcement that the US is willing
to discuss the Pueblo incident at Panmunjon. A
Foreign Ministry official was quoted in the press as
saying "it is more favorable to have the seizure dis-
cussed at Panmunjor than at the UN or in a third
country; however, it is doubtful that productive
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results will emerge." The independent newspaper Chungang
Ilbo echoed this line--saying that military action is
the solution, the Military Armistice Commission has
been historically ineffective, and the abortive attack
on President Pak's residence is being played down as a
result of this decision.
7. Soviet ships continue to shadow US naval
units in the Sea of Japan. At latest report a Kotlin-
class destroyer, DD 424, a JJDA7c1ass oiler, Vishera,
a Kildin-class guided missile destroyer, DDGS 983,
a Riga-class destroyer escort, DE 803, the intelli-
gence collector Gidnolog, and a new intelligence col-
lector Protraktor, which appeared for the first time
on 2 February, were in Task Group 70.6's surveillance
area.
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