Korean Air Flight 858, a passenger flight traveling from Baghdad to Seoul, became the target of a North Korean terrorist attack on November 29, 1987. The flight, which was carrying 115 people, was hijacked by two agents from North Korea who had disguised themselves as tourists. Their plan involved planting an explosive device aboard the aircraft, which they concealed in a cigarette package. The plane was meant to stop in Abu Dhabi before continuing on to Seoul. As it took off from Abu Dhabi, the bomb detonated just as the aircraft was climbing, resulting in its immediate destruction over the Andaman Sea. Eyewitness accounts revealed that passengers had no time to comprehend the imminent threat. The explosion led to debris scattered over a wide area of the sea, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. The operation was part of a broader strategy by North Korea to intimidate South Korea and signal their capabilities to conduct covert operations internationally.

The two North Korean agents were eventually captured, and one, Kim Hyun-hui, later provided detailed confessions regarding the planning and execution of the bombing. In subsequent trials, the incident led to heightened international tensions, particularly between North and South Korea, and drew condemnation from various nations and international organizations. The ramifications of this attack heightened global awareness of the lengths to which North Korea would go to achieve its political aims, raising alarms about state-sponsored terrorism. The bombing also led to increased security measures for airlines worldwide, changing how governments would deal with potential threats to civil aviation.