North Korea Unresponsive to US Attempts to Discuss American Soldier’s Border Crossing

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On Thursday, North Korea remained unresponsive to US efforts to initiate discussions regarding the American soldier who crossed the heavily fortified border. The soldier’s chances of swift release are uncertain due to heightened military tensions and a lack of active communication channels.

Private Travis King, who was supposed to travel to Fort Bliss, Texas after completing a prison sentence in South Korea for assault, unexpectedly entered North Korea during a civilian tour of the border village of Panmunjom on Tuesday. He is the first known American held captive in North Korea in almost five years.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, informed reporters on Wednesday in Washington that the Pentagon had reached out to their counterparts in the North Korean People’s Army but had yet to receive a response. The White House, the Pentagon, and the State Department are working collaboratively to gather information about King’s well-being and location. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured that the US government is committed to ensuring his safety and facilitating his return to his family.

The motive behind King’s border crossing remains unknown. A witness on the same civilian tour initially believed it to be a staged act until an American soldier on patrol began shouting for others to stop him. Within seconds, King had crossed the border.

At 23 years old, King served as a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division in South Korea. Following his conviction for crimes committed in South Korea, including assault and damaging a police vehicle, he may face discharge from the military and other potential penalties. In February, a Seoul court fined him 5 million won ($3,950) for assaulting an unidentified person.

North Korea has previously detained several Americans on charges of anti-state activities and espionage. However, no other Americans have been known to be held captive since North Korea expelled Bruce Byron Lowrance in 2018. During the Cold War, a small number of US soldiers who defected to North Korea appeared in North Korean propaganda films.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, stated, “North Korea is unlikely to release a border-crosser due to its strict domestic laws and its desire to deter outsiders from breaking them. However, the Kim regime has little incentive to hold an American citizen for an extended period as it carries liabilities.” He further added that Pyongyang might seek compensation and then expel the American soldier to avoid further escalation that could jeopardize North Korean diplomatic and financial interests. Easley suggested that in the best-case scenario, the American soldier would safely return home, albeit with a propaganda victory for Pyongyang. This incident could also pave the way for renewed dialogue and contacts between US and North Korean officials, which have been stagnant during the pandemic.

While previous US civilian detainees were released after high-profile US missions to secure their freedom, experts argue that North Korea is unlikely to easily return King due to his status as a soldier who voluntarily fled. The US and North Korea have no diplomatic ties, and Sweden, which previously provided consular services, reportedly hasn’t returned diplomatic staff since North Korea ordered foreigners to leave the country at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Department has been engaging with counterparts in South Korea and Sweden on this matter, including in Washington, according to Miller. South Korea’s Defense Ministry stated that it is sharing relevant information with the American-led UN Command in South Korea.

Presently, there are no known active dialogues between North Korea and the US or South Korea.

King’s case coincides with North Korea’s increased criticism of the United States over recent security commitments to South Korea. The US recently deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in four decades, and in response, North Korea test-fired two missiles capable of reaching the South Korean port where the US submarine docked.

Family members of King believe that he may have felt overwhelmed by his legal troubles and potential military discharge. They describe him as a quiet individual who doesn’t smoke or drink and enjoys reading the Bible. King’s maternal grandfather, Carl Gates, expressed his belief that his grandson would not intentionally cause harm and called upon the country to aid in his rescue.

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