Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.

US soldier Travis King detained in DPRK now in American custody

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 Sep 2023 17:42
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

A senior US administration official confirms the US soldier had left Chinese airspace and was on his way to a US military base.

  • x
  • Travis King
    In this photo taken in Seoul on August 16, 2023, a man walks past a television showing a news broadcast featuring a photo of US soldier Travis King (AFP)

A US official confirmed on Wednesday that American soldier Travis King, who was detained in the DPRK after crossing from the South in July, is in American custody.

"I can immediately confirm that Private Travis King is in US custody," a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pyongyang's state news agency said the DPRK has decided to expel King.

Senior US administration officials said that China helped facilitate the transfer of the soldier into US custody.

China "played a role in facilitating that transfer, but did not play another mediating role in these events," an official said, adding that Sweden had helped transfer King to China, where he was released into US custody.

The official claimed that no concessions were given to the DPRK in exchange for King.

According to the officials, the United States stands ready to have possible further diplomatic engagements with the DPRK.

"The United States government remains very open to the possibility of diplomacy with the DPRK [North Korea]," the officials said.

They continued, "This incident to our minds demonstrate that keeping lines of communication open, even when ties are strained, is a really important thing to do and can deliver results. We, again, stand by ready for any further diplomacy that might be possible."

Related News

Rubio influences Trump’s u-turn on sanctions on Russia

Maduro calls on working class to be ready to defend nation

On its part, the White House thanked Beijing for helping King to leave the DPRK through Chinese territory.

"We thank... the government of the People's Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

The US soldier had left Chinese airspace and was on his way to a US military base, a senior administration official confirmed.

King ran across the border on July 18 after joining a sightseeing tour of the Demilitarised Zone between the DPRK and South Korea.

Last month, Pyongyang confirmed it was holding the US soldier, saying King had defected to the DPRK to escape "mistreatment and racial discrimination in the U.S. Army."

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

Myron Gates, King's uncle, told ABC News in August that his nephew was subjected to racism during his military assignment and that he did not sound like himself after spending time in a South Korean jail.

But after completing its investigation, Pyongyang has "decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK, under the law of the Republic," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday.

After a drunken pub fight, an incident with police, and a stay in a South Korean jail, Private Second Class King was being taken to the airport in July to fly back to Texas. But instead of traveling to Fort Bliss for disciplinary hearings, King snuck away, joined a Demilitarised Zone sightseeing trip, and slipped over the border.

It is noteworthy that the last American to have crossed over to the DPRK was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who crossed over from China in October 2018. Lowrance was accused of working for the CIA but was released a month after being taken into custody, with the mediation of the Swedish Embassy in the DPRK.

Read more: 'Embarrassment': US army classification of soldier who fled to DPRK

  • United States
  • Pyongyang
  • DPRK
  • US
  • China
  • North Korea
  • Travis King
  • South Korea

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • Today
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Children walk along a sidewalk, Thursday, June 15, 2017 in New York. (AP)
Health

Could AI extend lifespans while fueling despair and joblessness?

milei
Politics

Milei faces sharp drop in approval rating ahead of midterm elections

Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian vehicles in Deir Dibwan, near Ramallah, during a pre-dawn raid. (social media)
Politics

Israeli settlers torch three Palestinian cars near Ramallah

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is seen leaving his court sentencing in 2024. (AFP)
Economy

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS