US Army Soldier Crosses Border into North Korea, Family Believes He Did Not Defect
Family members of US Army Pvt. Travis King expressed their disbelief on Wednesday night after he crossed the border between North and South Korea last month. They stated that they had no reason to believe that King, who was on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, would defect from the US military.
Jaqueda Gates, King’s sister, spoke to Laura Coates on “CNN Primetime” and mentioned that the family has not received any further information about her brother’s whereabouts. However, she emphasized that King is “not the type to just disappear.” Gates added, “So, that’s why I feel like the story is deeper than that. I don’t believe that you just do vanished and ran away.”
King, who crossed into North Korea without authorization, is believed to be the first US soldier to do so since 1982. The US military stated that he willfully crossed into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, which is a collection of buildings inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has separated the two Koreas since the end of the Korean War in 1953. It was also reported that King had a history of assault and was facing disciplinary action.
Myron Gates, King’s uncle, expressed his disappointment with the lack of response from the Biden administration. He mentioned that the family has reached out to various elected officials’ offices but has not heard from the White House. Gates said, “We wish they would come to our house to talk to us and let us know something.”
The family has been contacted by the family members of Otto Warmbier, a US college student who was detained in North Korea for 17 months in 2016. Warmbier died less than a week after returning to the United States. Jaqueda Gates described the toll her brother’s situation has taken on the family, stating that it has been difficult to sleep as they wait for updates and that King’s absence has devastated their mother.
The North Koreans recently reached out to the United Nations Command about King, but the State Department spokesperson, Matt Miller, stated that it was not a substantive call and did not indicate progress. Miller mentioned that the outreach made to North Korea through diplomatic channels has not been answered.
The United Nations Command’s deputy commander stated last week that a conversation has commenced with North Korea regarding King. In a statement to CNN, UNC Director of Public Affairs Col. Isaac Taylor said, “The KPA [North Korean Army] has responded to the United Nations Command with regards to Private King. In order not to interfere with our efforts to get him home, we will not go into details at this time.”
King’s family has vowed to continue fighting for his return. Myron Gates declared, “We’re gonna continue to fight for you, and we ain’t gonna stop until you come home.”
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Natasha Bertrand, Gawon Bae, and Brad Lendon contributed to this report.
What are the potential motives or reasons behind King’s crossing into North Korea, and how does his family’s skepticism play a role in questioning his intentions?
Rted that King was unarmed and did not pose a threat to South Korea or its troops.
The family’s skepticism has raised questions about King’s intentions and whether he may have been coerced or had another motive for crossing into North Korea. Gates mentioned that her brother had always wanted to join the military and serve his country, and they find it hard to believe that he would willingly defect.
The US military is currently working with the South Korean government to investigate the incident and obtain more information about King’s situation. They are also in contact with the family and providing support during this difficult time.
While the details of King’s crossing and his current situation remain unclear, the family remains hopeful and insists that their loved one would not willingly defect. They are eager to receive more information and have him safely return home.
