U.S. National Crosses Inter-Korean Border into North Korea Without Authorization
SEOUL, July 18 (Reuters) – A U.S. national has crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea without authorization while on a tour and is likely to be in the North’s custody, the United Nations Command (UNC) that oversees the demilitarized zone area at the border said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred during a tour to the Joint Security Area (JSA) on the demilitarized zone border separating the two Koreas since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, where soldiers from both sides stand guard.
South Korea’s Dong-a Ilbo daily, citing South Korea’s army, identified the person as Travis King, a U.S. army soldier with the rank of private second class. However, Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
The UNC stated on Twitter, “A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident,” referring to North Korea’s People’s Army.
Colonel Isaac Taylor, spokesperson for the U.S. military in South Korea (USFK) and the UNC, declined to confirm whether the individual was a U.S. Army soldier or a member of USFK, stating that he had nothing to add to the UNC statement. The White House, the U.S. State Department, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The incident comes at a sensitive time amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula. Recently, a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived in South Korea for a rare visit, serving as a warning to North Korea over its own military activities. North Korea has been conducting tests of increasingly powerful missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched last week.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry stated that it did not have any immediate information on the border incident.
The U.S. State Department travel advisory currently bans U.S. nationals from entering North Korea “due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” This ban was implemented after U.S. college student Otto Warmbier was detained by North Korean authorities while on a tour of the country in 2015. Warmbier died in 2017, days after he was released from North Korea and returned to the United States in a coma.
The situation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities work to resolve the incident.
Reporting by Hyonhee Shin, Soo-hyang Choi, and Josh Smith; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Tomasz Janowski
What actions are the United Nations Command and relevant authorities taking to ensure the safe return of the individual who crossed the inter-Korean border without authorization?
E North Korea. The UNC acknowledged the incident and stated that they are working with the relevant authorities to ensure the individual’s safe return.
The Joint Security Area (JSA) is a significant location on the inter-Korean border, often visited by tourists who are given the opportunity to observe the customs and protocols followed by soldiers from both sides. It is highly unusual for someone to cross the border without authorization.
While South Korean media has identified the individual as Travis King, a U.S. army soldier, Reuters has not been able to independently verify this information. The UNC has not provided any further details regarding the individual’s motives or intentions behind the unauthorized crossing.
Crossing the inter-Korean border without authorization is a serious offense, and the North Korean authorities are likely to take strict action against the individual. The United Nations Command and relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working towards resolving it in a peaceful manner.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and North Korea. The two countries have been engaged in a war of words, with North Korea conducting several missile tests in recent months. The unauthorized crossing could potentially complicate the already delicate situation between the two countries.
It remains to be seen what actions will be taken by the North Korean authorities and how the situation will be resolved. The United Nations Command and other relevant parties will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide assistance where necessary.
This unprecedented event sparks concerns over national security and highlights the urgency to address diplomatic tensions between the US and North Korea.