US soldier entered DPRK seeking refuge from "unequal American society"

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Aug 2023 09:35

The US Defense Department reports that the US soldier entered voluntarily but without authorization, while the DPRK maintains contact with the UN Command. Additionally, reports indicate that he is expected to undergo further administrative action upon his return to the US.

A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, August 16, 2023 (AP)

DPRK Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday, citing an investigation, that US army private Travis King who illegally crossed from South Korea in mid-June was seeking refuge in the DPRK or another third country as he was "disillusioned at the unequal American society."

The report stated that he was detained by soldiers of the Korean People's Army in the joint security area of Panmunjom.

The private admitted that he illegally entered the territory and confessed to his decision to seek refuge in North Korea or another third country as "he harbored ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army".

The US Defense Department relayed that he entered voluntarily but without authorization, as the DPRK remains in contact with the UN Command while reports add that he is set to face more administrative action once returning to the US.

The #US Army has identified the soldier who crossed the demarcation line into #NorthKorea as Private (#Pvt) #TravisKing on Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know about the issue so far. pic.twitter.com/NxIQ2aJjnu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 20, 2023

According to US military officials, King “willfully and without authorization” crossed over during a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, which is a demilitarized zone that has separated the two Koreas since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The United States has officially requested that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returns King, the US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters last month.

"We have relayed messages to the DPRK that Private King crossed on his own and we want him returned safely," Miller said. The spokesperson also said Washington asked for information on the Private's health.