The world A television screen in South Korea shows an archive photo of American soldier Travis King. North Korea claims he will seek refuge in their country. Photo: Ahn Young-joon / AP / NTB Read more Close
NTB
Aug 16 2023 00:16 – Updated 16 Aug. 2023 00:16
For the first time since a US soldier crossed the border into North Korea from the demilitarized zone, the country has spoken out about the situation.
According to North Korea, the soldier Travis King has admitted that he entered the country illegally, the state news agency KCNA reports.
Furthermore, it is reported that King has said that he wanted to come to North Korea as he is said to have had anguish related to “inhuman mistreatment and racial discrimination” in the US military. KCNA also claims that King was disappointed by the inequalities in American society.
King has said he is willing to seek refuge in North Korea or in a third country, it says. The investigation into King is still ongoing, according to KCNA.
The Pentagon says they have not verified that what North Korea says about King is true. Furthermore, the ministry says that they are fully focused on getting the soldier home safely.
– We are working through all possible avenues to achieve this, says a spokesperson for the Pentagon.
The 23-year-old American soldier, who was due to be sent home after two months in prison in Seoul on an assault charge, jumped over the border during a guided tour in July.
US officials have said they believe King crossed the border on purpose. The United Nations has said it believes the American soldier is in custody in North Korea.
2023-08-15 21:27:57
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