Travis King: US say North Korea will ‘want a price’ to return AWOL soldier
The private fled across the border after blending with a group of tourists
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.US officials are concerned about the "price" North Korea will demand in order to secure the safe return of a US Army private who fled across the South Korean border into the nation last week.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul made the comments on Sunday regarding Travis King, who reportedly fled into North Korea after posing as a tourist.
"That was the wrong place to go. But we see this with Russia, China, Iran - when they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that," Mr McCaul said during an interview with ABC "This Week." "And that's what I worry about."
He said he did not believe Mr King was defecting, but was "more running from his problems".
Mr King, 23, was reportedly on his way back to the US last week, but skipped his flight back to join a tour group visiting the border between North and South Korea. During the tour he broke from the group and ran across the border.
US officials said he was scheduled to fly to Texas in order to face "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction" after spending 47 days locked up in South Korea for allegations of assault and damaging public property.
North Korea reportedly has not responded to requests from the Biden administration inquiring about the soldier's status.
Mr King's family has asked for "privacy" as they work to secure his return.
The soldier reportedly said at some point last year he had no intentions of returning the the US, according to ABC News.
"I'm sure that he's not being treated very well," Mr McCaul said on Sunday. "I think it was a serious mistake on his part, and I hope we can get him back."
While North Korean officials have reportedly not responded to Mr Biden directly, the nation is reportedly responding to the United Nations Command.
The deputy commander of the US-led group overseeing the Korean War truce said they had been in contact with Pyongyang, according to Reuters.
Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer acting as deputy commander of the command, said on Monday that the command's primary concern was Mr King's welfare.
"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Mr Harrison said. "I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments