Is American Soldier Defecting to North Korea? Concerns Raised by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
July 23, 2023, 10:42 AM ET
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Michael McCaul, has expressed concerns over the possibility of North Korea demanding concessions from the United States in exchange for the release of American soldier Travis King. King, who fled across the border from South Korea last week, is currently being held in North Korea.
McCaul, a Republican from Texas, appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and speculated on King’s motives, stating, “Is he defecting? I think he was running from his problems.” McCaul referred to King’s pending discipline in the U.S. following an altercation in South Korea, which resulted in his detention for nearly two months. McCaul also mentioned that countries like Russia, China, and Iran often demand a price for American captives.
According to sources, King, a 23-year-old Army private 2nd class, was on his way back to the U.S. when he surprisingly left the airport in Seoul and crossed the border into North Korea earlier this week. He was scheduled to face pending administrative separation actions upon his return to Texas, stemming from a foreign conviction. King had recently been released after spending 47 days in a South Korean detention facility.
The Biden administration has been actively seeking information about King’s status from North Korea, but the country has been unresponsive. The family of Travis King released a statement through the Army, stating, “We request privacy as we work towards our son’s safe return.”
The motive behind King’s defection remains unknown, although an official stated that King had previously expressed his unwillingness to return to the U.S. McCaul voiced concerns about King’s treatment in North Korea and expressed hope for his safe return.
The incident involving King comes at a sensitive time as the U.S. docks a nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea for the first time in four decades. The presence of the USS Kentucky in Busan has drawn criticism from North Korea, which recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile.
McCaul defended the submarine’s presence, stating that it projects strength and serves as a deterrent against aggression. Referring to North Korea and China’s aggression towards Taiwan, McCaul emphasized the need for North Korea and Chinese leaders to understand the consequences of aggressive military actions.
When asked about the U.S.’s approach to countering North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, McCaul admitted that the traditional cycle of negotiation and pressure has not been successful. He called for “very creative diplomacy” and suggested exploring North Korea’s potential role in future military operations with China.
The situation regarding Travis King and North Korea continues to unfold, and the U.S. government remains committed to securing his release and resolving the issue diplomatically.