Where is Travis King now? North Korea to expel US soldier who 'illegally' crossed borders during DMZ tour
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA: Travis King, a US soldier, is currently in North Korea, facing "expulsion" after staying in custody for two months, as announced by state media on Wednesday, September 27.
The decision for King's expulsion is attributed to his "illegal entry" into North Korea back in July after he broke away from a tour group visiting the DMZ, executing a daring escape into the hermit country, as reported by the North Korean news agency KCNA, according to Daily Mail.
North Korean officials confirmed that they were finished "questioning" the soldier and stated that he sought refuge in the country due to issues related to "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination" within the US Military.
As of the latest update, there have been no official statements from the US government regarding King's impending release.
Who is Travis King?
The US soldier, Travis King, is a quiet person who avoids smoking or drinking and enjoys reading the Bible, according to his relatives. He grew up in southeast Wisconsin and was eager to serve his country in South Korea.
However, when he unexpectedly crossed borders to enter North Korea, a nation known for detaining Americans, his family was left puzzled about his motives.
Notably, King was supposed to return to the US that same week to face military discipline after spending almost two months in a South Korean prison on assault charges, leaving his family and authorities confused.
King's bold dash into North Korea was captured in a photo where he sported a black T-shirt and hat, both bought from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone.
Witnesses recalled him laughing hysterically during his daring run in July, escaping his military superiors and integrating into a tour group.
This act comes amid a history of run-ins with the South Korean police, involving offenses such as assaulting an individual in a nightclub and causing damage to a police car.
Concerns have mounted regarding King's safety and well-being, amplified by North Korea's lack of updates on his condition, leaving everyone apprehensive.
What is the current state of Travis King?
The current whereabouts of Private Travis King, 23, remains uncertain, and the exact date of his release is undisclosed.
North Korea, known for its extremely limited diplomatic relations, particularly with neighboring countries, has not provided details regarding his health or location since his entry in July.
As per the country's statement, King apparently "confessed that he illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK as he harbored ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army and was disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society," as per CNN.
US' escalating tensions with North Korea
The US-North Korea relations have been characterized by periods of tension and diplomatic efforts to address security concerns related to the latter's nuclear weapons program.
Historic summits between US and North Korean leaders, like the Singapore Summit in 2018 and the Hanoi Summit in 2019, raised hopes for progress. However, subsequent negotiations faced challenges, leading to a lack of substantial denuclearization steps.
Currently, North Korea stands as one of the world's most economically and politically isolated nations and has a military arsenal that includes various ballistic and cruise missiles, which have been tested in recent years, accompanied by nuclear bomb tests.
Additionally, the country has accused the US of multiple violations of its airspace.
Recent times have witnessed escalating tensions between the two countries, especially with Pyongyang persistently testing nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missiles.
Furthermore, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin has added to the geopolitical complexity. The White House is apprehensive that North Korea and Russia might be nearing a clandestine arms deal potentially linked to the country's involvement in Ukraine, as per USA Today.