North Korea to Expel American Soldier Travis King, Citing Illegal Intrusion and Disillusionment with U.S. Society

The decision comes as the culmination of an investigation into King’s July border crossing, with KCNA publishing the final results of this inquiry. Last month, interim findings were reported, suggesting that King sought refuge in North Korea or another nation due to maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.

According to KCNA, “King confessed that he illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK as he harboured ill feelings against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army and was disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.” The DPRK refers to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.

The authorities have decided to expel King by North Korean law. However, specific details regarding the expulsion, including the timing and destination, were not provided in the KCNA report.

Efforts to obtain comments from the U.S. State Department, the White House, U.S. Forces Korea, and the United Nations Command were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Travis King, an army private, made a sudden border crossing into North Korea on July 18 while participating in a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area along the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea.

While there have been instances of U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea attempting to desert or defect to North Korea, King’s expulsion appears to have occurred relatively swiftly compared to previous cases that often involved prolonged detention in the reclusive nation.

Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for King’s family, indicated that no substantive comments would be provided at this time, stating, “We need time.”

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In August, King’s uncle, Myron Gates, disclosed to ABC News that his nephew, who is Black, had experienced racism during his military deployment. Following a period of detention in a South Korean jail, King’s behaviour reportedly changed significantly.

Notably, King faced allegations of assault during his time in South Korea. Court documents revealed that he pleaded guilty to one count of assault and damaging public property after engaging in a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans and damaging a police car. Additional disciplinary actions awaited him upon his return to the United States.

King had completed his military detention and was en route to rejoin his home unit in the U.S. when he left the airport and joined a tour of the border area. Despite attempts by South Korean and U.S. guards to prevent him, he made a sudden dash across the border into North Korea.