It was announced that second-class private Travis King, who was in charge of the First Armored Division in the USA, spent about 2 months in prison in South Korea on charges of “assault”.
After King was released on July 10, it was reported that he was taken to an airport in South Korea to be sent to the Fort Bliss military base in Texas on July 17, but the soldier left the airport before boarding the plane.
It was announced that the 23-year-old soldier crossed the border while participating in a tour to Panmunjom, the de facto border village between South and North Korea after leaving the airport, but there was no information about what he did before.
US soldier tells his mother he will be back soon
According to ABC News, the soldier’s mother, Claudine Gates, said: “I can’t imagine Travis would do something like that.” He expressed his surprise at his son’s crossing of the North Korean border.
Gates said King told him in his last phone call that he would be returning to Fort Bliss military base soon.
North Korea has not yet commented on the matter.
North Korea continues missile tests
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the North launched two missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan (East Sea) at 03:30 and 03:46 local time.
It was noteworthy that the missile tests were carried out after the US nuclear powered submarine anchored in the South Korean port 42 years later.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said they are monitoring the situation.
Confirming that a US soldier crossed the border without permission during the tour to Panmunjom, the de facto border village between South and North Korea, Minister Austin stated that the incident had just developed and that there were still many things they were trying to learn.
“But what we do know is that one of our soldiers crossed the border line willingly and without permission, and we believe he is now in custody in North Korea. We are closely monitoring and investigating the situation,” Austin said. he said.
Stating that they will convey the developments regarding the incident as they learn, Austin said, “I am definitely very concerned about the well-being of our military.” had used the phrase.
It is not known how the United States and North Korea, which do not have diplomatic relations, will hold talks on the issue.