Travis King updates — North Korea claims detained US soldier FLED into DMZ to escape ‘racism’ in America
NORTH KOREA has claimed the US soldier that fled into its territory last month did so because of "racial discrimination" in the United States military.
Travis King, 23, crossed the border into North Korea while on a guided tour last month.
Now, North Korean state news has claimed the soldier did so due to being "disillusioned at the unequal American society."
US officials are currently attempting to negotiate King's safe return to his home country and have been unable to verify if the DPRK's claims are correct.
Follow our Travis King blog for the latest news and updates...
What is Travis King's status with the US military?
Travis King's official status with the US military remains AWOL (absent without leave).
Once a full month has passed, this will automatically be switched to "deserter".
It is unlikely that he will be assigned the status of POW (prisoner of war) because he appeared to run across the border into North Korea of his own volition.
US officials concerned over ‘price’ North Korea will demand for Travis King
US officials have voiced concern over the “price” North Korea will demand in order to secure the safe return of Travis King.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul told : “That was the wrong place to go.
“But we see this with Russia, China, Iran – when they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that.
“And that’s what I worry about.”
Mr McCaul also said he believed Mr King was “more running from his problems” than defecting.
Where is Travis King from?
Travis King hails from Racine, Wisconsin, about 25 miles south of Milwaukee.
His mother Claudia Gates still lives in the City.
"Proud parent of a US Army soldier," stickers adorn her car and home there.
King's mother has said she was shocked by her son's actions and wants him brought home.
What has North Korea said?
Today, North Korea claimed Travis Scott entered the country in an attempt to escape “racism” in the US military.
“During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army,” DPRK state media KCNA reported.
“He also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society.”
Where is Travis King now?
Following his crossing of the DMZ, Travis King was detained.
He is now in North Korean custody.
On Wednesday, North Korean state media claimed King fled to the DPRK to escape “racism” in the US military.
“During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army,” KCNA reported.
What happened to Travis King?
Private 2nd Class Travis King entered North Korea from South Korea.
reported that the 23-year-old Army private “‘bolted’ across the inter-Korean border” on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters that King crossed the border “willfully and without authorization.”
Travis King reportedly laughing as he crossed border
Travis King, 23, reportedly shouted "Ha ha ha!" as he sprinted across the border during a tourist trip to the demilitarized zone (DMZ).
The private second class had been stationed in South Korea and was due to be sent home after being convicted of assault and damaging a police car.
The White House said the US government has reached out to the North Korean military through "multiple channels" trying to learn more on King's whereabouts and welfare.
Travis King’s uncle on US soldier’s ‘disturbed’ state over cousin’s death before he fled into North Korea
The uncle of US soldier Travis King, 23, who wilfully bolted across the demilitarized zone on July 18 without authorization from the US military, gave his thoughts about why his nephew had done it the day after the incident.
Carl Gates, the brother of King's mother, told the his nephew had been struggling in the run-up to his escape.
The solider was reportedly deeply upset by the death of Gates' 7-year-old son King'Nazir earlier this year.
"His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son," Gates said.
"It seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot."
King'Nazir died from a rare genetic disorder in February.
Gates, who described himself as a "father figure" to the soldier, said he began to act "reckless" and "crazy" once he found out that King'Nazir was about to die.
"I know it was related to what he did," Gates said.
"(He was) crying like a baby, and now you’re in the service and you can’t do nothing about it."
Other Americans detained in North Korea
Travis King’s detention in North Korea comes more than four years after Bruce Byron Lowrance was arrested in the state in October 2018.
He was released from custody a month later after reportedly telling North Korean officials that he had been under the “manipulation of the CIA,” according to North Korean state media.
But the most infamous case involves Otto Warmbier. Warmbier was detained during a tour in 2015 before being sentenced in 2016 to 15 years of hard labor.
North Korean officials accused him of trying to steal an item with a propaganda slogan.
Warmbier died at the age of 22, just days after he returned to the US.
The US ordered North Korea to pay $501million in damages for his torture and death.
US soldier Travis King ‘likely’ in quarantine after border cross, expert says
US soldier Travis King is likely to have been quarantined after being detained in North Korea, an expert has told The U.S. Sun.
King, 23, is believed to have wilfully crossed the heavily fortified border into the hermit state during a tour of the Demilitarized Zone.
Dr. Edward Howell, who specializes in North Korean domestic and foreign policy, warned that speculation about King’s condition is not helpful amid the silence from Pyongyang.
He told The U.S. Sun: “It’s unwise to speculate what condition Travis King may be in, particularly post Covid.
“North Korea has had its borders closed since January 2020 because of Covid.
"But, it’s highly likely that King may be in quarantine as part of being in custody.
“This is a whole complex amalgamation of political issues as well as health issues.”
How long has Travis King served in the US Army and what is his rank?
Travis King has served in the United States Army since January 2021.
The 23-year-old holds the rank of Private 2nd Class.
According to The Associated Press, King was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had spent almost two months in a South Korean prison for assault.
On July 18, 2023, the soldier crossed the North Korean border.
King reportedly facing disciplinary action
Travis King was reportedly facing disciplinary action from the US military when he fled to North Korea.
The 23-year-old was also said to be struggling with the death of his cousin.
King has been detained in North Korea for almost a month.
When did Travis King flee to North Korea?
Private 2nd Class Travis King entered North Korea from South Korea.
reported that the 23-year-old Army private “‘bolted’ across the inter-Korean border” on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Eyewitnesses initially thought the soldier was playing an elaborate joke, before realizing he was seriously attempting to escape into the country.
Travis King's status currently unknown
North Korea has given no information on how it has treated Travis King since his arrival in the country.
King was arrested upon entering the DPRK.
Today, North Korea claimed Travis Scott entered the country in an attempt to escape “racism” in the US military.
“During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army,” DPRK state media KCNA reported.
“He also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society.”
What does Travis King look like?
Private 2nd Class Travis King entered North Korea from South Korea.
reported that the 23-year-old Army private “‘bolted’ across the inter-Korean border” on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters that King crossed the border “willfully and without authorization.”
Travis King was seen 'running' across border
Sarah Leslie, a New Zealand tourist and lawyer in Travis King's group, told that she saw King running "really fast."
She said: "I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do.
"But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.'"
Eye witness thought it was a 'bad joke'
Eyewitnesses from the scene initially believed Travis King was making a "bad joke" when he crossed into North Korean territory.
They told CBS News they initially thought it was a "bad joke" but realised the severity of the incident when the man did not return.
The bystander said: "Then everybody reacted and things got crazy."
The tour group were reportedly then quickly ushered back to the Freedom House to provide statements and taken to their bus.
The witness added: "It actually hit me quite hard. It was on the way back in the bus, and we got to one of the checkpoints.... Someone said we were 43 going in and 42 coming back."
Travis King pictured with tourists moments before fleeing into North Korea
US army soldier Travis King has been pictured alongside a group of tourists moments before bolting into North Korea.
King, 23, was detained by North Korean forces after making an unauthorized venture into 's dictatorship during an orientation tour to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
The Private 2nd Class solider was with a group of tourists visiting the Joint Security Area, also known as Panmunjom, on the border between the two Koreas when he unexpectedly sprinted across the heavily fortified frontier, according to the .
Travis King 'had been reported to South Korean police'
Travis King had reportedly had a run-in with South Korean police prior to fleeing to North Korea.
NBC News reported that King had been reported to South Korean police "after allegedly punching a Korean national at a night club in Seoul" on September 25, 2022.
However, he "was not indicted because the victim did not want to press charges."
US officials working to bring Travis King home safely
Following North Korea's comments today, the Pentagon has said it is negotiating to bring Travis King home safely.
Officials said they will work "through all available channels" to ensure his return.
Private 2nd Class Travis King entered North Korea from South Korea.
reported that the 23-year-old Army private “‘bolted’ across the inter-Korean border” on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
What has North Korea said?
Today, North Korea claimed Travis Scott entered the country in an attempt to escape "racism" in the US military.
"During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army," DPRK state media KCNA reported.
"He also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society."
What has North Korea said?
Today, North Korea claimed Travis Scott entered the country in an attempt to escape "racism" in the US military.
"During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army," DPRK state media KCNA reported.
"He also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society."
Who is Travis King's mother?
King's mother is Claudine Gates of Racine, Wisconsin.
She spoke with about the shock she felt upon hearing that her son had entered North Korea.
She said: "I can't see Travis doing anything like that."
As per the outlet, Gates said that on the morning of July 18, the Army informed her that King had crossed the North Korean border.
She said she had last spoke to King "a few days ago," when he spoke to her about coming back to his Fort Bliss base.
Gates told ABC News that she just wants "him to come home."
Where is Travis King now?
Following his crossing of the DMZ, Travis King was detained.
He is now in North Korean custody.
On Wednesday, North Korean state media claimed King fled to the DPRK to escape "racism" in the US military.
"During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army," KCNA reported.
Where is Travis King now?
Following his crossing of the DMZ, Travis King was detained.
He is now in North Korean custody.
On Wednesday, North Korean state media claimed King fled to the DPRK to escape "racism" in the US military.
"During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK [North Korea] as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army," KCNA reported.