According to US and foreign officials, a US soldier entered North Korea willfully and without authorization and was thought to be in the country’s hands.
The initial confirmation that an unidentified American national had crossed the border came from the United Nations Command, which manages the Joint Security Area within the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
US Soldier Who Crossed Into North Korea
The soldier in question, according to US authorities, is Private 2nd Class Travis King. King spent time in a South Korean detention center before being released to staff at US Army Garrison Humphreys, the main base of American soldiers in the nation, roughly a week ago.
In order to be separated from the Army, King was led to the airport in Incheon, close to Seoul, for a return trip to the United States, according to US officials. At Customs, he parted ways with his escort before declining to board the aircraft.
He managed to return after passing through airport security and join a border tour group before entering North Korea, according to the officials.
King joined the Army in January 2021, according to Army spokesman Bryce Dubee, who talked to CBS News.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon acknowledged a service member had willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line dividing the two nations while on a tour, but he did not name him.
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US Response To Soldier’s Detention In DPRK
Using the acronym DPRK North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at a news conference, Austin stated, We believe that he is in DPRK custody.
As a result, we’re closely monitoring and investigating the situation, working to notify the soldier’s next of kin, and engaging to address this incident.
The man reportedly crossed the border at 3:27 p.m. while touring the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom with a group of civilian tourists, according to local media. (2:27 a.m. Eastern) local time.