Travis King: US soldier entered N Korea due to ‘discrimination in US Army’, Pyongyang claims
Detained US soldier Travis King entered North Korea due to “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army”, the communist nation’s state media has claimed.
He has additionally “expressed willingness” to hunt refuge in North Korea after crossing the border final month, Pyongyang has mentioned in its first feedback on the story.
State news company KCNA mentioned King partly determined to enter the nation as a result of he was “disillusioned at the unequal American society”.
North Korean investigators have concluded that he crossed intentionally and illegally, intending to remain within the North or in a 3rd nation, KCNA mentioned.
King, 23, was reportedly going through disciplinary motion by the US navy when he crossed over whereas on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) – the closely fortified border between the 2 Koreas.
He was additionally mentioned to have been scuffling with the demise of his younger cousin, in response to US media experiences.
He is the primary American to be detained in North Korea for nearly 5 years.
The US Pentagon mentioned it couldn’t confirm King’s alleged feedback.
“The department’s priority is to bring Private King home. We are working through all available channels to achieve that outcome,” a Pentagon spokesperson mentioned.
King has been declared AWOL, in response to US officers. The punishment for being absent with out depart can embody forfeiture of pay or dishonourable discharge.
US officers have additionally mentioned they consider he crossed the border deliberately.
The Pentagon says it’s centered on Travis King’s ‘protected return’
KCNA mentioned in an announcement: “During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army.
“He additionally expressed his willingness to hunt refugee within the DPRK or a 3rd nation, saying that he was disillusioned on the unequal American society.”
Last month, King’s sister said he was “not the type to get into trouble“.
His sister, Jaqueda Gates, told NBC News: “This is loopy. I used to be simply speaking to him, actually 48 hours in the past (earlier than the JSA incident).
“My brother, he’s not the type to get into trouble like that. It all just sounds made up.”