Travis King, U.S. soldier who ran to North Korea, is on his way to Texas
By Michele Kelemen|Anthony Kuhn
A TV screen shows a file image of U.S. soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday. North Korea said Wednesday that it was expelling King, who crossed into the country through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July. Ahn Young-joon/AP hide caption
toggle caption Ahn Young-joon/APA TV screen shows a file image of U.S. soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday. North Korea said Wednesday that it was expelling King, who crossed into the country through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.
Ahn Young-joon/AP, a 23-year-old American soldier who ran across the border into North Korea in July, was transferred to U.S. custody and on his way back to the United States on Wednesday, U.S. officials say.
North Korea's state news agency had said earlier Wednesday the , claiming he had "confessed that he illegally intruded" into the country, but didn't say when or where he would be sent.
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North Korea expels U.S. soldier who crossed over from South Korea
U.S. officials said King was transferred to China where he was handed over to the United States. A Defense Department official told NPR Wednesday afternoon King was on his way to a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
"Pvt. King appears to be in good health and good spirits as he makes his way home," said a senior Biden administration official, who asked not to be named when briefing reporters on details before the transfer was made public.
U.S. officials spent weeks negotiating King's release. Since North Korea and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, Washington used other channels, including Swedish diplomats.
that King was open to seeking refuge in North Korea or a third country.King's uncle ABC News in August that his nephew had experienced racism in the Army. King joined the Army in 2021 and was stationed in South Korea.
King recently in South Korea for an assault and was due to return to a military base at Fort Bliss, Texas, facing possible disciplinary action.
But King skipped his flight and joined a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas. He then bolted across the border, where he was quickly detained by North Korean authorities.
U.S. officials said Wednesday that before they decide on next steps on his case, he will be given medical and psychological attention and will be reunited with his family. He's already been able to speak with them.
