Unauthorized American Crossing into North Korea from South Korea

On Tuesday, the American-led U.N. Command announced that an American citizen had crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea.

According to a tweet from the U.N. Command, the individual, who was visiting the Korean border village of Panmunjom, crossed into North Korea without proper authorization.

Presently, the person is in the custody of North Korean authorities, and the U.N. Command is actively collaborating with their North Korean counterparts to resolve the situation.

No additional information regarding the individual’s identity or motives for crossing the border was provided.

Instances of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare occurrences. However, since the conclusion of the 1950-53 Korean War, over 30,000 North Koreans have sought refuge in South Korea to escape political oppression and economic hardships.

Panmunjom, situated within the 248-kilometer (154-mile)-long Demilitarized Zone, was established at the end of the Korean War. While sporadic bloodshed and gunfire have taken place there, it has also served as a venue for numerous negotiations and remains a popular tourist destination.

Both the U.N. Command and North Korea have joint oversight of the area.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as a fellow soldier made a daring escape. Despite being struck five times, the soldier was discovered beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom and survived. He currently resides in South Korea.

Panmunjom does not have any civilian residents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about border crossing

More about border crossing

• U.N. Command tweet on the border crossing incident
• Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – Wikipedia
• Panmunjom – Historical Overview – U.S. Department of State
• North Korea-South Korea relations – Council on Foreign Relations
• Korean War – History.com