According to officials, the 23-year-old soldier was taken to the airport and was supposed to board a plane back home. However, during the process, he left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, local time in Korea, he fled across the heavily armed border into North Korea. This incident marks the first time in nearly five years that an American has been detained in North Korea. The border is heavily guarded and frequented by tourists, making his escape a significant and unusual event.
Here's a great TikTok video rounding up the story and updates:
@etchaskej Travis King’s family has already been through enough in the last year without this. But I honestly hope Travis King returns safely soon. #travisking #northkorea #northkoreatiktok #peoplewhodefectedtonorthkorea #peoplewhodefectedto🇰🇵 #asiantiktok #usarmy #bipoctiktok ♬ original sound - Ed
From Military Times:
The Army released his name and limited information after King’s family was notified of the incident. But a number of U.S. officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. It wasn’t clear how he got to the border or how he spent the hours between leaving the airport on Monday and crossing the border a day later.
At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.
“We’re closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier’s next of kin,” Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troop’s wellbeing. “This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we’ll keep you posted.”
According to Army spokesman Bryce Dubee, King is a cavalry scout who joined the service in January 2021. He was in Korea as part of the 1st Armored Division.
The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Korea’s state media didn’t immediately report on the border crossing.
The reasoning behind King defecting to North Korea remains unclear, but some suggest it may have been due to a mental breakdown that led him to take such actions.
We sincerely hope that King stays safe and can make it back home soon!
