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 King’s whereabouts. However, she emphasized that King is “not the type to just disappear.” Gates added, “I don’t believe that you just vanish and run 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 the civilian tour. It is important to note that King had a history of assault and was facing disciplinary action before the incident occurred. He was supposed to return to the US the day before the incident.
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 stated, “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. The Warmbier family urged King’s family to take action.
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. She also mentioned that King’s absence has devastated their mother, saying, “This is really, really hard on my mom, you know, that’s her baby boy.”
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. The outreach made to North Korea through diplomatic channels has not been answered.
The deputy commander of the United Nations Command stated that a conversation has commenced with North Korea regarding King. However, the details of the conversation have not been disclosed to avoid interfering with efforts to bring King home.
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.
How is the US Army handling the disciplinary issues surrounding Pvt. Travis King?
D disciplinary issues and was currently under investigation by the US Army.
According to Gates, King had plans to visit his family in South Korea after completing his tour in the Joint Security Area. She mentioned that King had been in contact with them regularly before his disappearance and seemed excited about the upcoming visit.
Gates also expressed her frustration with the lack of information from both the US military and South Korean authorities. She believes that more should be done to locate her brother and ensure his safety. “We just want to know that he’s okay,” she said.
The incident has raised concerns about security at the border between North and South Korea. While the Joint Security Area is heavily fortified, King’s unauthorized crossing has raised questions about potential weaknesses in the system.
The US military, along with South Korean authorities, is conducting a joint investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding King’s crossing. They are also working with North Korean officials in an effort to locate and bring him back safely.
In the meantime, the family of Pvt. Travis King is holding on to hope that he did not defect and will be found soon. “We don’t believe he would abandon his duty and his country,” Gates said. “We are just waiting for answers and praying for his safe return.”
It’s heart-wrenching to see a soldier’s family face the painful reality of their loved one disappearing in such a politically volatile country like North Korea. Their concerns are valid, and it’s imperative that every effort is made to bring him back safely. Their unwavering strength and hope serve as a reminder of the sacrifices soldiers and their families make for our nation.