F-15 Rescue Operation: How U.S. Special Forces Saved a Downed Pilot in Just 48 Hours

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Hong Ik-pyo, the Blue House senior secretary for political affairs, said the government may need to prepare an additional supplementary budget in the second half if instability in the Middle East continues.

On April 5, Hong appeared on MBN’s Jeong Woong-gap’s In-Depth Analysis and said, “If the (Middle East) situation drags on, we cautiously consider the possibility that even after this supplementary budget, another one may be needed in the second half.” He made the remark while rebutting the People Power Party’s claim that the pending supplementary budget was intended for the June local elections.

He noted that major domestic and international institutions have cut their forecasts for South Korea’s economic growth this year by about 0.4 percentage points because of fallout from the Middle East war. He also pointed out that, despite the government’s fuel tax cut, oil prices have remained in the mid-1,900 KRW-per-liter range (approximately $1.43 per liter, roughly $5.40 per gallon). “We do not know whether the Middle East war will last a few months,” he said. “Even if it ends, oil and other supply chains will not normalize immediately; it will take at least three to four months.”

Addressing concerns about falling tax revenue, he emphasized the government’s fiscal capacity. “Even under conservative assumptions, this level of supplementary spending can be managed without issuing sovereign bonds, and tax receipts could end up slightly higher than initially projected,” he said. “Given current developments, this is a crisis the government can handle.”
 

The Democratic Party’s primary for the Jeonnam‑Gwangju Unified Special Mayor narrowed to a runoff, setting Min Hyung-bae and Kim Young-rok against each other for the nomination. Both candidates issued statements on April 5 outlining their resolve for the final contest.

Min thanked supporters, saying, “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support that brought me to the runoff. I take this responsibility seriously and will meet it with determination.” He vowed to keep the campaign focused on issues and avoid mudslinging: “No matter how fierce the runoff, I will not smear or belittle my opponent, and I will not resort to negative politics. I will compete fairly on vision and capability for the future of the Jeonnam‑Gwangju integration.”

Kim also expressed determination upon advancing to the runoff. “To the 3.2 million citizens of the Jeonnam‑Gwangju Special City and to proud Democratic Party members: your overwhelming support has put me in the runoff,” he said. “I will become the unified mayor and open the future for Jeonnam‑Gwangju.” He added, “The launch of the Jeonnam‑Gwangju Unified Special City is an opportunity for a major leap for Gwangju and Jeonnam. I will enter the runoff with a deep sense of responsibility.”
 

Iran and Oman held talks on ways to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing attention as transit has become effectively restricted amid the Middle East war.

Oman’s state news agency said on April 5 (local time) via social media platform X that the two countries held a deputy foreign minister–level meeting to discuss guarantees for transit through the strait. Experts from both sides attended and reviewed various options reflecting the current regional situation. The agency reported, “Experts from both sides presented a range of visions and proposals on this issue.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping lane through which roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes. But as the Middle East war intensifies, safe passage for vessels has become difficult and the route has effectively been closed.

Iran has maintained a selective policy on transit through the strait. In the context of conflict with the U.S. and Israel, it says it will decide passage based on criteria such as a vessel’s nationality and the type of cargo it carries.
 

U.S. forces mobilized hundreds of special operators and advanced assets to rescue an F‑15 crew member isolated behind enemy lines two days after the jet was shot down. The operation reportedly included the Navy SEALs’ elite SEAL Team 6.

According to the New York Times on April 4 (local time), of the two crew members aboard the F‑15E Strike Eagle Iran shot down on April 3, one pilot was rescued immediately while the weapons systems officer (WSO) went missing. The WSO escaped and hid in mountainous terrain, evading Iranian searches for more than 24 hours.

U.S. intelligence initially struggled to locate him, but the CIA identified his hideout and the rescue began in earnest. The operation deployed hundreds of special operators, including SEAL Team 6, multiple military aircraft and helicopters, and capabilities from the cyber, space, and intelligence communities. SEAL Team 6, known for the 2011 operation that killed Osama bin Laden, played a central role in the mission.
 

Former People Power Party nomination committee chair Lee Jung-hyun officially declared his candidacy for the Jeonnam‑Gwangju Unified Special Mayor race, saying he will contest the election in traditionally conservative Gwangju to help rebuild the conservative camp.

On April 5, Lee posted on Facebook under the title “When everyone gives up, I go to Gwangju,” writing that he wants to show the conservatives’ grit in Gwangju. “How can you talk about Korea if you abandon Honam? How can you talk about the future if you abandon Gwangju and Jeonnam?” he asked.

Lee acknowledged the weakening conservative base and vowed to press forward. “People tell me to give up running in Gwangju and Jeonnam. They say it won’t work, that conservatism is dead here, that trying is pointless. But I want to struggle and show that conservatism hasn’t completely died in Honam,” he said.