The American soldier who willfully sprinted across the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in July was released into U.S. custody on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
“U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing. In addition, we thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King.”
According to the New York Times, King was transported from North Korea into China. From there, the Private and American officials flew to a military facility in South Korea. Finally, King arrived in Texas for various medical examinations and questions about the 70 days the DPRK held him.
King will also likely face charges under the military justice system.
According to the Associated Press, the 23-year-old was stationed in South Korea as a cavalry scout in the 1st Armored Division. However, in July of this year, he finished a sentence in a South Korean prison, serving about two months for an assault charge that involved an altercation with locals. He was supposed to return to Fort Bliss, Texas, for further disciplinary action but did not board his plane. Instead, he fled the airport and joined a civilian tour of the DMZ, proceeding to cross the Military Demarcation Line into North Korea.
According to the official Korean Central News Agency of North Korea, King illegally entered because he possessed “Ill feeling[s] against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” in the Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”
However, verifying the truth of this statement is impossible, as the DPRK widely and regularly produces propaganda. According to ABC News, former detainees admitted they were coerced into making declarations of guilt. As a result, many questions remain about King’s motives to cross the border.
King is the first American to be detained by North Korea in five years. Former hostages have been used for anti-American propaganda or were punished with sentences of hard labor after confessing to crimes against the North Korean government. King’s safe release is a rare accomplishment for the U.S.
It is currently unknown why Pyongyang decided to expel him. One reason could be that North Korea is attempting to present itself as obedient to international law—especially since the isolated country recently amended its constitution to reinforce its nuclear power status. However, as a low-ranking member of the Army, King likely provided little value to North Korea.
