Image source,Reuters
Travis King has not been heard from since he crossed the border into North Korea.
- Author,Drafting
- Role,.
-
The American soldier who crossed illegally into North Korea is in US custody after being expelled by Pyongyang, authorities said.
American media indicated that Travis King was delivered to China.
King, 23, had crossed the border from South Korea during a visit to the area last July.
Pyongyang had announced it would carry out the deportation after concluding an investigation into King’s “illegal” entry into the country, the state news agency KCNA reported.
His release comes a month after North Korea acknowledged that it had detained the soldier.
According to KCNA, King confessed to having illegally crossed into North Korea “due to the inhumane treatment by the US military, his antipathy towards racism and disillusionment with the unequal American society.”
A senior US official confirmed that King was back in US hands and had already spoken to his family.
“We can confirm that Private King is very happy on his way home and is looking forward to being reunited with his family.”said the official.
“Intense diplomacy”
Image source,EPA
King’s deportation was reported on television in South Korea.
The senior US official indicated that King’s return was the result of “months of intense diplomacy.”
He said the U.S. knew in advance that North Korea planned to release the soldier.
The process required the participation of Swedish officials who had to travel to North Korea and who transferred King to the border with Chinawhere he was placed in the hands of the US authorities.
According to the US official, Beijing played a “constructive role” but did not act as a mediator.
Since the United States and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations, traditionally the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang is in charge of negotiating on behalf of Washington.
Disciplinary procedures
King is a reconnaissance specialist who entered the military in January 2021.
The soldier was on a guided tour of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas when he broke away from the group and ran across the border.
Previously, King had served two months in detention in South Korea on charges of assault, before being released on July 10..
He was due to return to the United States for a disciplinary procedure, but managed to leave the airport and join a guided tour of the Demilitarized Zone.
The senior US official briefed on King’s situation said the immediate focus will be on a medical evaluation, before any possible disciplinary and administrative action.
In recent years, several US citizens who entered North Korea illegally (excluding those convicted of criminal activities there) have been released within six months.
Now you can receive .. . so you don’t miss our best content.
