Who is Travis King? US soldier who fled to North Korea now heads home after being expelled

Private Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea in July, is now under U.S. custody and en route back to the United States after North Korea expelled him to China.

The circumstances surrounding the diplomatic efforts that facilitated King's transfer are not fully disclosed, but this incident represents a noteworthy instance of cooperation involving the United States, North Korea, and China, reported Reuters.

According to the State Department, King is anticipated to arrive back in the United States later today.

23-year-old Travis King, unespectedly crossed into North Korea from South Korea on July 18 during a civilian visit to the heavily fortified border.

The US government chose not to classify him as a prisoner of war, despite internal discussions on the matter. Conversely, North Korea seemed to regard his case as an instance of illegal immigration.

Who is Travis King? US soldier who crossed border to reach North Korea

Travis King is a United States Army soldier who crossed over the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea on 18 July 2023 while on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). King was facing dishonorable discharge from the United States Army due to legal charges in South Korea, the country he was stationed in at the time of the crossing.

King was detained by North Korean authorities on 18 July 2023 and was released on 27 September 2023 back to U.S. authorities. King was the first known detention of a U.S. national by the DPRK since Bruce Byron Lowrance in November 2018.

How Travis King end up in North Korea?

King became a cavalry scout and was assinged to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armoured Division, which arrived in South Korea in Feb 2022.

On 25 Sep 2022, King failed to report for his fdaily formation in Capm Bonifas. He was later found in Uijeongbu, and stated that he "refused to return to post or America".

Watch |US soldier Travis King released by North Korea with help of Sweden & China

On 25 September 2022, King punched a South Korean man in the face multiple times at a nightclub in Seoul. The victim did not press charges and the Seoul court dropped the case.

On 8 Oct 2022, King was involved in an altercation with South Korean locals in Mapo, Seoul. When police officers tried to question him, he continued with his aggressive behavior without answering questions from the officers.He also kicked the police vehicle's door several times, causing about ₩584,000 (US$458) in damages. Because of this incident, King stayed behind in South Korea when his unit returned to the United States. King was then administratively attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

He was then held for 47 days at a South Korean detention facility in Cheonan before being released on 10 July 2023. After his release, King spent a week at a United States military base Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek under observation.

He completed out-processing from the facility on 17 July 2023, and was escorted to Incheon International Airport the next day. After leaving the airport, King joined a group of tourists on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom, and on 18 July. He crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea.

Witnesses claim that King, dressed in black, suddenly ran to the North Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line while the tour was ongoing, making a loud "laughing" noise while running. Soldiers from the southern side chased after King. It is believed that King was taken into North Korean custody after being picked up by an unidentified van.

(With inputs from agencies)

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