North Korea Responds to U.S. Outreach Regarding Private Travis King
In a significant development, North Korea has responded to the United States’ outreach about Private Travis King, who crossed into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in July. This marks the first public acknowledgment by the U.S. of Pyongyang’s response to King’s situation, according to the Pentagon.
The U.S. had communicated through established channels after King crossed from South Korea into North Korea, but had been waiting for a response from the North for several weeks. “There was the initial passing of the information, and this was essentially an acknowledgement from the DPRK government that yes, we have received your request for information,” said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The Pentagon utilized established channels with North Korea at the United Nations Command to make the requests about King. However, Ryder did not provide any details about the content of North Korea’s response or when it was sent.
Private Travis King had crossed into North Korea in July after breaking away from a group tour of the demilitarized zone. Prior to this, he had been scheduled to return to the U.S. for separation from the Army after serving time in a South Korean detention facility for assaulting two South Koreans and kicking a patrol car.
King was escorted to the commercial airport outside Seoul but bid farewell to his escort at customs. Instead of boarding the flight, he found his way to a tour in North Korea.
In response to King’s actions, the Army counter-intelligence is conducting a joint investigation with U.S. Forces Korea, as announced by the Pentagon in July.
This development comes as tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have been high in recent years, with both countries engaging in diplomatic negotiations and occasional escalations. The response from North Korea regarding Private Travis King’s situation could potentially have implications for future relations between the two nations.
Eleanor Watson, a CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon, contributed to this report.
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How did North Korea respond to U.S. concerns regarding Private Travis King?
North Korea Responds to U.S. Concerns Regarding Private Travis King
In a major update, North Korea has finally responded to the United States’ outreach regarding Private Travis King, who crossed into North Korea in July. This marks the first public acknowledgment by the U.S. of Pyongyang’s response to King’s situation, according to the Pentagon.
After King crossed from South Korea into North Korea, the U.S. reached out through established channels and has been patiently waiting for a response. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed that North Korea acknowledged receiving the U.S. request. However, no details about the content or timing of North Korea’s response were shared.
Private Travis King had broken away from a tour of the demilitarized zone and entered North Korea in July. Prior to this incident, he was scheduled to return to the U.S. for separation from the Army after serving time in a South Korean detention facility for assaulting two South Koreans and damaging a patrol car. King was escorted to the airport but decided not to board the flight, instead finding his way to North Korea.
The Pentagon had announced in July that the Army counter-intelligence is conducting a joint investigation with U.S. Forces Korea in response to King’s actions.
This development is particularly significant as tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have been running high in recent years, characterized by diplomatic negotiations and occasional escalations. The response from North Korea regarding Private Travis King’s situation could have implications for the future relations between the two nations.
Eleanor Watson, a CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon, contributed to this report.
Thank you for reading CBS NEWS.
It’s encouraging to see North Korea responding to the U.S. outreach regarding Private Travis King’s situation. Let’s hope this leads to positive developments.