North Korean officials have claimed that Travis King, a detained American soldier, entered the country as a result of alleged “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army”.
King had shown a willingness to apply for asylum in North Korea after crossing the border last month, according to North Korea’s initial official statements on the incident.
King was “disillusioned at the unequal American society” according to KCNA, the North Korean news agency.
Investigators in North Korea came to the conclusion that King purposely and illegally entered into North Korea from South Korea with the aim of living there or in another third country.
At the time of his defection, while he was on a tour for civilians of the heavily fortified Joint Security Area (JSA) between the two Koreas, the 23-year-old King reportedly faced punishment from the US military.
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Additionally, according to accounts from US media, he was mourning the loss of his younger cousin.
This incident is the first time an American has been held in North Korea in almost five years.
The US Pentagon claimed that it was unable to confirm the alleged claims made by King.
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A Pentagon spokesperson said: “The department’s priority is to bring Private King home. We are working through all available channels to achieve that outcome.”
According to US officials, King has been declared AWOL. This unlawful absence may have repercussions, such as lost pay or a dishonourable dismissal.
Additionally, US officials have stated that they think he purposefully crossed the border.
The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.
The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.
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A US Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the U.S. had no way to verify North Korea’s claims about King. The official said the Pentagon was working through all available channels to bring King back to the U.S.
Soo Kim, an expert with Virginia-based consultancy LMI and a former CIA analyst said: “This is 100 per cent North Korean propaganda in its element. King, as an American citizen held in North Korea, has no sway in how (North Korea) chooses to cast its narrative.”
She added: “As for King’s release, his fate rests in North Korea’s hands. Perhaps the regime will try to ‘bargain’ King’s life in exchange for financial concessions from the U.S. More than likely, negotiations won’t be easy, and terms will be dictated by Pyongyang.”
