North Korea has released its first statement since United States Army Pvt. Travis King crossed over from South Korea into its territory, confirming what was long suspected and alleging why King made the much-questioned decision.
During its investigation, North Korea claims “he confessed that he decided to come over to the DPRK, opposed to inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination in the US army,” according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
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“Saying he was disillusioned at the unequal American society, he expressed his will to seek political asylum either in the DPRK or in third country,” the statement continued. “The investigation continues.”
It was July 18 when King bolted across the border while taking a tour of the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas. King, who has been a cavalry scout with the Army since January 2021, was supposed to fly home to the U.S. after serving two months in a South Korean prison on assault charges, but he didn’t get on the flight, choosing to cross into North Korea, seemingly on his own volition.
North Korea, well known for its hostile attitude and unresponsiveness toward the U.S., would not respond to American inquiries, though the United Nations did say it was communicating with the East Asian country about King’s status.
The private’s action shocked many, including military members and King’s own family. “… he’s not the type to just disappear,” Jaqueda Gates, King’s sister, said on CNN earlier this month.
Whether his comments are real or not, King’s ostensible willingness to run into North Korea offers the country an opportunity to bolster its propaganda. For Kim Jong Un and company, their “truth” is clear, as evidenced by the statement released Tuesday: King preferred to be in North Korea than the U.S. or South Korea.
North Korea said King “admitted that he illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK.” What this means for King’s future remains unclear.
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Tensions are high on the Korean Peninsula as the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise “Ulchi Freedom Shield” begins next week. Kim denounces the annual exercises as “war games,” but the U.S. insists they are purely defensive.
The North Korean leader has ordered a ramp-up of the production of tactical missiles to prepare his country for war. Since the beginning of last year, North Korea has conducted more than 100 missile tests, and the U.S. is bracing for more during this month’s U.S.-South Korean exercise.
