Travis King

Travis Travale King (born February 15, 2000) is a United States Army soldier who crossed over the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea on 18 July 2023 while on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).[1][2] King was facing dishonorable discharge from the United States Army due to legal charges in South Korea, the country he was stationed in at the time of the crossing.[3][4]

Travis King
King in 2021
Born (2000-02-15) February 15, 2000
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service2021–present[lower-alpha 1]
Rank Private
Unit2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
AwardsNational Defense Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon

King was detained by North Korean authorities on 18 July 2023 and was released on 27 September 2023 back to U.S. authorities.[5][6][7] King was the first known detention of a U.S. national by North Korea since Bruce Byron Lowrance in November 2018.[8][9]

Early life and military service

King was born on February 15, 2000 to father Thomas King[10] and mother Claudine Gates.[11] He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin,[12] and attended Washington Park High School, graduating in 2020.[13][14]

King enlisted in the United States Army in January 2021.[15][1] He became a cavalry scout and was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which arrived in South Korea in February 2022.

On 25 September 2022, King punched a South Korean man in the face multiple times at a nightclub in Seoul. The victim did not press charges and the Seoul court dropped the case.[16]

On 8 October 2022 at 3:46 Korean Standard Time (7 October 18:46 UTC), King was involved in an altercation with South Korean locals in Mapo, Seoul. When police officers tried to question him, he continued with his aggressive behavior without answering questions from the officers. He was placed in the backseat of a police car where he shouted expletives and insults against Koreans, the Korean army, and the Korean police. He also kicked the police vehicle's door several times, causing about ₩584,000 (US$458) in damages. He later pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods and paid ₩1 million (US$783) to fix the vehicle.[16] It was also reported that he did not pay a fine, but instead chose to be remanded into South Korean detention for more than a month.[17] Because of this incident, King stayed behind in South Korea when his unit returned to the United States. King was then administratively attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.[18]

Detention in South Korea and crossing to North Korea
The Joint Security Area seen from South Korea, site of King's defection

Following charges of assault, King was fined ₩5 million (US$3,950) on 8 February 2023 by the Seoul Western District Court which he failed to pay. He was then held for 47 days at a South Korean detention facility in Cheonan[lower-alpha 2] before being released on 10 July 2023.[1][19] After his release, King spent a week at a United States military base Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek under observation.[1] He completed out-processing from the facility on 17 July 2023,[1] and was escorted to Incheon International Airport the next day, as far as customs checkpoint.[1] The military escort had no ticket and was not allowed past the checkpoint. King continued into the terminal alone as a result.[1] King was to board a flight to Fort Bliss, Texas, for "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction"[3] in the United States, but instead fled the airport,[1] approaching an American Airlines employee and claiming he was missing his passport.[11]

After leaving the airport, King joined a group of tourists on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom, and on 18 July 2023 at 15:27 Korean Standard Time (06:27 UTC), crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea. Witnesses claim that King, dressed in black, suddenly ran to the North Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line while the tour was ongoing, making a loud "laughing" noise while running. Soldiers from the southern side chased after King.[20][21] It is believed that King was taken into North Korean custody after being picked up by an unidentified van.[22][23][3]

A U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson stated that King "willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),"[24] and on 20 July 2023, the United States Department of Defense declared King to be absent without leave (AWOL).[22][25]

Time in North Korea

On 24 July 2023, the United Nations Command stated that they were in communication with the North Korean government regarding King.[26][27][28]

On 1 August, the North Korean government acknowledged the United Nations Command's request for information regarding King and stated that they are investigating the incident, but stopped short of providing detailed information about King's status at the time in North Korea.[6][7][29]

As of 4 August 2023, the United States refused to classify King as a prisoner of war due to his decision to cross into North Korea of his own free will, while in civilian attire.[30]

On 15 August, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the primary news outlet of North Korea, confirmed that King was in the country, stating that King illegally crossed into the nation due to "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army". KCNA further stated that King "expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society".[31]

Expulsion from North Korea

On 27 September 2023, North Korean state media reported that King would be "expelled", and that he would be returned to American custody.[32][33] Later that day, without any demands from the North Korean government, the Swedish government brought King to the Chinese border city of Dandong where he was transferred into US custody following several weeks of private negotiations.[17] From there, he was first flown to Shenyang and then to Osan Air Base in South Korea.[34]

King was subsequently flown to Kelly Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and arrived on 28 September around 12:30 a.m. Central Standard Time (05:30 UTC).[35] He was treated on base at Brooke Army Medical Center.[36] The U.S. Department of Defense released a lengthy statement that their immediate goal was to focus on his health, and his return to his family. The US military was also to debrief him regarding his activities in North Korea, and any dialogues he may have had with North Korean officials.[37]

Charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice

Eight separate charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice have been filed by the U.S. Army against King including desertation into North Korea, solicitation of child pornography, assault upon fellow soldiers, attempted escape from U.S. military custody, and insubordination.[38] The legal team hired by his family includes Franklin Rosenblatt, who was lead defense counsel for Bowe Bergdahl.[17]

Awards and decorations

See also

References
  1. Seyler, Matt; Martinez, Luis; Raddatz, Martha; Shalvey, Kevin. "US soldier in North Korean custody after crossing DMZ line". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. Radford, Antoinette; Fraser, Simon (18 July 2023). "Travis King: US soldier held by North Korea after crossing border". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  3. Crawford, Shannon K.; Martinez, Luis. "Past comments may give new clues in mystery around why US soldier entered North Korea". ABC News. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  4. Guinto, Joel, ed. (19 July 2023). "Travis King: US soldier who crossed into North Korea faced disciplinary action". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  5. Bailey, Chelsea (25 July 2023). "Travis King: How the US negotiates with North Korea". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  6. Ali, Idrees; Stewart, Phil (1 August 2023). "North Korea responds to UN Command on US Private Travis King, Pentagon says". Reuters. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  7. Seyler, Matt (2 August 2023). "North Korea says it's investigating Travis King in 1st response to United Nations messages". ABC News. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. Tong-Hyung, Kim (17 November 2018). "A look at Americans who have been detained in North Korea". Associated Press. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  9. Gallagher, Linda (21 November 2018). "Central Lake man released from North Korean prison". The Antrim Review. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  10. Williams, Scott (26 July 2023). "Travis King's father suspects his son was drunk when he ventured into North Korea". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  11. Mackenzie, Jean; McGarvey, Emily (18 July 2023). "Travis King: What we know so far about North Korea's detention of a US soldier". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  12. Bauer, Scott; Winder, Melissa. "American soldier's dash into North Korea leaves family members wondering why". The Washington Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  13. Calvi, Jason (19 July 2023). "North Korea detains Travis King, Racine soldier". FOX 6 Milwaukee. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  14. Asiyanbi, Heather (19 July 2023). "Racine mom says unlikely son ran from Army unit into North Korea". Racine County Eye. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  15. Fleury, Amy (19 July 2023). "U.S. soldier with Racine connection detained in North Korea". WISN 12 News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  16. Park, Ju-min (19 July 2023). "Travis King: US soldier got in fights, damaged police car before dash to North Korea". Reuters. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  17. Phil Stewart (20 October 2023). "Exclusive: US Army charges Private Travis King with desertion over dash into North Korea". Reuters. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  18. Sang-Hun, Choe; Ismay, John (19 July 2023). "What We Know About How a U.S. Soldier Ended Up in North Korea". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  19. "US soldier was imprisoned for assault before fleeing to North Korea – latest". The Independent. 19 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  20. Helmore, Edward (20 July 2023). "US soldier was reportedly laughing when crossing border into North Korea". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  21. "'Absolute idiot' – Kiwi tourist saw US soldier's dash to North Korea". 1 News. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  22. Ng, Kelly; Mackenzie, Jean (20 July 2023). "Travis King: US soldier is absent without leave in North Korea, Pentagon says". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  23. Kilander, Gustaf; Rahaman Sarkar, Alisha (19 July 2023). "A US soldier faced disciplinary action so he fled. His fate is now up to North Korea". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  24. Norman, Greg; Griffin, Jennifer; Friden, Liz (18 July 2023). "North Korea detains US soldier who crossed border 'without authorization,' officials say". Fox News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  25. Graziosi, Graig (24 July 2023). "Travis King: US say North Korea will 'want a price' to return AWOL soldier". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  26. Lendon, Brad; Bae, Gawon (24 July 2023). "'Conversation has commenced' with North Korea over US solider, United Nations Command says". CNN. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  27. Yim, Hyunsu (24 July 2023). "UN Command talking to North Korea about US soldier Travis King". Reuters. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  28. Borowiec, Steven (24 July 2023). "U.N. Command has reached out to North Korea over U.S. soldier". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  29. Nerozzi, Timothy (2 August 2023). "North Korea 'acknowledged' Travis King situation in communications with UN". Fox News. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  30. Stewart, Phil (4 August 2023). "Exclusive: US declines to invoke prisoner of war status for Travis King". Reuters. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  31. Choi, Soo-Hyang; Smith, Josh (16 August 2023). "North Korea says Travis King wants refuge from mistreatment, racism in US". Reuters. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  32. Bae, Gawon (27 September 2023). "North Korea to 'expel' US soldier Travis King, who crossed from South, state media reports". CNN. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  33. Sang-Hun, Choe (27 September 2023). "American Soldier Who Went to North Korea in July Is in U.S. Custody". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  34. Debusmann Jr, Bernd (27 September 2023). "Travis King in US custody after North Korea expulsion". BBC News. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  35. Bertran, Natasha; Trimble, Megan; Yeung, Jessie (28 September 2023). "American soldier Travis King arrives back in US after being freed by North Korea | CNN Politics". CNN.
  36. Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees (28 September 2023). "US soldier Travis King undergoes medical evaluation after North Korea release". Reuters. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  37. Lopez, C. Todd. "Released From North Korea, U.S. Soldier Now in Texas". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  38. Yaron Steinbuch (25 October 2023). "Army defector Travis King's mom says he had to sign agreement not to reveal why he decided to go into North Korea". New York Post. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

Notes
  1. The United States Department of Defense classified King as absent without leave (AWOL) from 20 July 2023 to 27 September 2023.
  2. It is unclear why King was detained in South Korea. The local court in Seoul did not sentence him in either of the cases. U.S. officials state that King was detained for "an unspecified infraction."
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