A U.S. soldier recognized as Travis King, 23, is making headlines after dashing throughout some of the closely fortified borders on the earth: the Korean Peninsula’s demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Whereas King’s standing is presently unclear, right here’s the rundown on the state of affairs.
The Soldier Ran Into North Korea As an alternative Of Going Again To Texas
In accordance with AP News, the incident occurred on Tuesday (Jul. 18), and it went down after King was launched from a two-month detainment in South Korea.
BBC News notes the soldier particularly had a historical past of entering into fights round Seoul, which finally landed him in custody. Upon being launched earlier this month, he was briefly positioned beneath navy surveillance and slated to fly again to Fort Bliss, Texas.
Nevertheless, whereas authorities transported him to Incheon Worldwide Airport, King blended into a bunch of 43 vacationers visiting a village smack on the border between North and South Korea, AP News studies.
A New Zealand-based vacationer named Sarah Leslie recalled seeing King all of a sudden start operating “actually quick” towards North Korea, although she had no concept that he was being severe.
“I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some type of actually silly prank or stunt, like a TikTok, essentially the most silly factor you may do. However then I heard one of many troopers shout, ‘Get that man.’ … I simply didn’t assume anybody would ever wish to try this.”
Regardless of the efforts of American and South Korean forces, Travis King swiftly made it into North Korea.
What within the bloody hell was Travis King considering.
He assaults Korean residents, then goes on a racist rank towards Koreans whereas in custody—after which he decides to cross into North Korea.
No matter punishment he confronted within the US will pale compared to what he’s about to endure. pic.twitter.com/F4gMhnpt2j
— JΛKΣ (@USMCLiberal) July 19, 2023
U.S. Officers, Household, & Consultants Chime In On The Travis King Scenario
In response to the state of affairs, U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin famous that, whereas an investigation is ongoing, officers know Travis King “willfully and with out authorization crossed the navy demarcation line.”
White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre added that the U.S. is presently “partaking with Sweden and South Korea” and dealing on “attending to the underside of what occurred.” She additionally declared that their “main concern” is “ascertaining his well-being.”
As for the soldier’s household, his mom—Claudine Gates—informed ABC News, “I can’t see Travis doing something like that.” She additionally shared that she needs “him to come back dwelling.”
King’s grandfather, Carl Gates, expressed related sentiments and questioned whether or not King was “in his proper thoughts,” AP Information studies.
“I believe proper now he may need an issue or one thing. I can’t see him doing that deliberately if he was in his proper thoughts.”
Whereas the standing of the soldier is presently unclear, Yang Moo-jin—president of South Korea’s College of North Korean Research—stated North Korea will “possible” use Travis King “as a bargaining chip,” per AP Information.
“It’s possible that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda functions within the quick time period after which as a bargaining chip.”
A U.S. Nationwide on a JSA orientation tour crossed, with out authorization, the Navy Demarcation Line into the Democratic Folks’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We consider he’s presently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident. pic.twitter.com/a6amvnJTuY
— United Nations Command 유엔군사령부/유엔사 (@UN_Command) July 18, 2023
There are not any additional updates at the moment.