Mounting Concern for U.S. Army Private who Crossed into North Korea
WASHINGTON, July 20 – The United States expressed growing worry on Thursday over the fate of Army Private Travis King, who entered North Korea two days ago. U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth voiced her concerns about North Korea’s history of mistreating captured Americans during her first public comments on the case.
Washington has been actively trying to establish contact with Pyongyang, utilizing United Nations communication channels, but has yet to receive a response from North Korea.
“I worry about him, frankly,” Wormuth stated at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. She referenced the case of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who was imprisoned in North Korea for over a year and died shortly after being returned to the United States in a coma in 2017. “I worry about how they may treat him. So, (we) want to get him back.”
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby echoed the concern at the White House, stating, “This is not a country that is known for humane treatment of Americans – or frankly anybody else for that matter.”
The reasons behind King’s decision to dash into North Korea remain puzzling to American officials. However, Wormuth acknowledged that he may have been concerned about facing further disciplinary action from the U.S. Army upon his return home.
Regarding King’s current condition and whereabouts, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the U.S. Army’s counter-intelligence office and U.S. forces in South Korea are conducting an investigation. Singh declined to comment on whether King is still alive, emphasizing that the U.S. military lacks any information regarding his status.
North Korea has not responded to communications from the United States, and its state media has remained silent on the incident so far.
U.S. special envoy for North Korea, Sung Kim, stated in Japan that the United States is “working very hard” to determine King’s status and well-being and ensure his safety and return. However, he did not provide any further details.
According to U.S. officials, King had been fined for assault while stationed in South Korea and had been detained for over a month before being escorted to Incheon International Airport by the U.S. military for a commercial flight to Dallas, Texas. However, King returned to the terminal after claiming to have lost his passport.
Wormuth suggested that King “may not have been thinking clearly, frankly,” given the circumstances of his assault case and impending consequences in the U.S. Army.
Amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula due to North Korea’s ballistic missile tests, the United States remains concerned about the security risks posed by the reclusive state. Last week, North Korea launched its newest solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), boasting the longest flight time ever recorded.
In response to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s comments on North Korea’s provocation, Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un and a powerful ruling party official, urged the United States to cease its “foolish act” and warned of the security implications.
As the investigation into Travis King’s case continues, the United States remains committed to ensuring his safety and securing his return from North Korea.
Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis, and Grant McCool