US Army Pvt. Travis King’s Family Believes He Did Not Defect, Urges Biden Administration for Help
Family members of US Army Pvt. Travis King have expressed their belief that the soldier did not defect from the US military when he crossed the border between North and South Korea last month. Speaking on “CNN Primetime,” King’s sister, Jaqueda Gates, stated that the family has not received any information about his whereabouts but insisted that he is “not the type to just disappear.” She added, “So, that’s why I feel like the story is deeper than that. I don’t believe that you just vanish and run away.”
King made headlines when he became the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982. The US military stated that King “willfully and without authorization” crossed into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area. It has been reported that he had a history of assault, was facing disciplinary action, and was supposed to return to the US the day before the incident.
Despite reaching out to elected officials’ offices, King’s uncle, Myron Gates, expressed disappointment in not hearing from the Biden administration and called for more support from the White House. He said, “We wish they would come to our house to talk to us and let us know something.”
The family has also been contacted by the family members of Otto Warmbier, a US college student who was detained in North Korea for 17 months in 2016. Warmbier died less than a week after returning to the United States. Jaqueda Gates described the toll her brother’s situation has taken on the family, stating that it has been difficult to sleep as they wait for updates and that King’s absence has devastated their mother.
The State Department confirmed that North Koreans had reached out to the United Nations Command in the last 48 hours about King. However, the call was described as “not substantive” and not seen as progress. The deputy commander of the United Nations Command revealed that conversations have commenced with North Korea over King’s case.
In response, King’s family has vowed to continue pushing for his return. Myron Gates declared, “We’re gonna continue to fight for you and we ain’t gonna stop until you come home.” The family remains hopeful that they will receive more information and support from the Biden administration and other officials.