US soldier who crossed into N. Korea was facing disciplinary action over S. Korea assault
Views (58)
A U.S. soldier believed to be detained in North Korea has a history of assault in South Korea and was facing disciplinary action in the U.S., according to reports. Travis King, 23, reportedly bolted into the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while on a civilian tour on Tuesday.
A U.S. soldier believed to be detained in North Korea has a history of assault in South Korea and was facing disciplinary action in the U.S., according to reports.
What happened: Pvt. Travis King, 23, reportedly bolted into the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while on a civilian tour on Tuesday. He was facing discharge from the Army after being fined 5 million won (approximately $3,900) and jailed for 47 days for an assault conviction in South Korea.
On Tuesday, King was part of a group of 40 civilians touring the DMZ with South Korean company HanaTour ITC. In a shocking move, he separated from the group and ran past the demarcation line.
King, who has been in the Army since January 2021, is the first known U.S. soldier to defect to North Korea since 1982. He is also the first known U.S. national to be detained in the country since Bruce Byron Lowrance in 2018.
The U.S. is reportedly “engaging” North Korea about King through South Korea and Sweden, which have embassies that represent U.S. interests in the country.
King’s motive remains unknown. Admiral John Aquilino, who leads the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said he has “gotten no reports” that the soldier was a North Korean sympathizer.
Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!
0 Likes