North Korea Breaks Silence on U.S. Soldier Who Crossed DMZ “Willfully and Without Authorization

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea has commented for the first time on the case of a U.S. soldier who ran into the country last month. According to North Korean state-run media KCNA, 2nd Class Travis King, 23, crossed the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily fortified border between North Korea and South Korea, “willfully and without authorization” in July.

KCNA reported that King admitted to illegally entering North Korean territory and said he did so due to disillusionment with the inequality of American society. The U.S. Defense Department has not been able to verify these alleged comments.

The Department’s priority is to bring Private King home, and they are working through all available channels to achieve that outcome. This is the first time an American has been detained in North Korea in nearly five years.

The incident has raised tensions between the two countries, as the U.S. and North Korea have had a strained relationship for decades. The U.S. has imposed economic sanctions on North Korea in response to the country’s nuclear weapons program.

The incident has also raised questions about the security of the Demilitarized Zone, which is heavily guarded by both North and South Korean forces. It is unclear how King was able to cross the border without being detected.

The U.S. and North Korea are continuing to work together to resolve the situation and bring Private King home.