The Pentagon cannot independently verify the claims made by North Korea regarding U.S. soldier Travis T. King seeking refuge in the country due to “racial discrimination” in the U.S. Army. According to a senior defense official interviewed by Fox News, the Pentagon has had no contact with Private King and is unaware of his current status.
It is believed that King entered North Korea intentionally while on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA), a heavily fortified border between the two Koreas. North Korea’s state media recently reported that King confessed to crossing into the North due to “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.” North Korean investigators have also concluded that King deliberately and illegally crossed the border with the intention of staying in North Korea or finding refuge in a third country, as reported by state news agency KCNA.
However, it is important to note that North Korea’s media is tightly controlled by the reclusive communist regime and frequently makes threats against the United States, South Korea, and Japan. As of now, North Korea has not communicated any information about Private King to the U.N. Command or anyone in the U.S. military.
While the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to approach North Korea’s claims with caution and not rely solely on their state media for accurate information. The Pentagon awaits further updates and hopes to establish direct contact with Private King to confirm his well-being and the reasons behind his actions.
Please note that Reuters has contributed to this report.
[Image: American soldier Travis King | Source: Fox News]
An undated photo depicts Travis King, the American soldier currently detained in North Korea, as seen in a Facebook post.
[Image: Travis King | Source: AP Newsroom]
This family photo shows a portrait of American soldier Travis King displayed at the home of his grandfather Carl Gates, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Kenosha, Wis.
In an investigation, Travis King admitted that he decided to come to North Korea due to his resentment towards the inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination he experienced within the U.S. Army. He expressed a desire to seek refuge either in North Korea or a third country, explaining his disillusionment with the unequal American society, as reported by KCNA.
It is important to highlight that North Korea’s media is controlled by the reclusive communist regime and should be viewed with skepticism. The senior defense official interviewed by Fox News emphasized the lack of communication from North Korea to the U.N. Command or the U.S. military regarding Private King. Given North Korea’s history of issuing threats, it is crucial to approach their reporting with caution.
This report is contributed by Reuters.
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About the author: Bradford Betz is a breaking reporter for Fox News Digital, covering a wide range of topics including crime and political issues.
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