The United States confirmed Wednesday that there is no new information on the US soldier who deserted a tour of the demilitarized zone and rushed into North Korea, in a peculiar incident that has perplexed officials in Washington.
The soldier has been named Private Second Class Travis King, who escaped from a South Korean orientation tour at the border Panmunjon truce town on Tuesday and ran across the border, where he is believed to have been apprehended by North Korean officials.
Little is known about the serviceman’s motive or current situation in the remote country.
State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller stated, “We here at the State Department, and the UN, are all continuing to work together on this matter to ascertain information about the well-being and whereabouts of Private King”.
According to U.S. officials, King, who was on his way back to the United States due to disciplinary issues, made it to Panmunjon and crossed the border wilfully and without authorization.
Mr. Miller further said that the State Department was still gathering information on the matter but had no knowledge of the present status.
“I want to be very clear that the administration has worked actively and will continue to work to ensure his safety and return him home to his family”, Mr. Miller continued.
He went on to say that the Pentagon has contacted sources in the North Korean military for information on King’s situation, but had received no answer.
Miller stated that while Washington does not have official contact with Pyongyang, it has other avenues of communication.
He pointed out that the State Department is working with counterparts in South Korea and Sweden to learn more about King.
According to US media, King escaped from an airport while being brought home for disciplinary reasons.
According to South Korean authorities, King had been held in a local prison for around two months on assault allegations before being released on July 10.
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