Travis King, a private in the United States Military, fled to North Korea in July and has been there since then.
After months of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea, King was released back to the United States.
The North Korean state media stated they decided to ‘expel’ King back into US hands.
You might remember when this story first came to light.
King was detained in South Korea for a physical altercation and decided it was in his best interest to flee to North Korea.
Not the brightest of moves.
More from the folks at Fox News:
The North Korean government has released a U.S. serviceman after holding him in detainment since July, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
ADVERTISEMENTThe North Korean government returned U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King to U.S. custody in mainland China on Wednesday following months of imprisonment, according to North Korean state outlets and the U.S. National Security Council.
“The relevant organ of the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK, under the law of the Republic,” state media outlet Korean Central News Agency wrote early Wednesday, according to translations provided by Yonhap News Agency.
The National Security Council confirmed King’s return in a call later the same morning.
“U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” said Pentagon Spokesperson Brigadier Gen Patrick Ryder.
He added, “We appreciate the hard work of personnel in the Army, United States Forces Korea, and across the Department of Defense to bring Private King home, and we thank the governments of Sweden and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for their assistance.”
King has been held by North Korean authorities since July 18, when he reportedly sprinted away from a tour group into the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
People over on Twitter have been poking fun at the story.
Saying how even North Korea doesn’t want to deal with King!
Imagine being so annoying that when you defect to the DPRK, they go NO THAAAAANKS, RETURN TO SENDER.https://t.co/86lx8esr1I
— Uncle Traveling Jake (@midwesternexile) September 27, 2023
When even North Korea doesn't want you. 🤣https://t.co/cMtUBympWO
— Street Dog #Fella 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇨🇿 (@JamesLLandis) September 27, 2023
While others take a more critical look at the situation:
U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King, who fled over the Border into North Korea in July after facing Military Judicial Punishment and his removal from South Korea was reportedly “Expelled” earlier today by the North Korean Government and turned over to U.S. Authorities on the DMZ.… pic.twitter.com/5zGSNhjim2
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 27, 2023
BREAKING.🚨
Pvt. Travis King, the American soldier who attracted attention when he sprinted across one of the most strongly fortified borders in the world and entered the country in July, will be expelled, North Korea announced on Wednesday.
During a tour of the joint security… pic.twitter.com/2yvgPoImtE
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 27, 2023
CNN has more on the involvement of China and Sweden in the negotiations:
The Pentagon released a statement thanking the Chinese and Swedish governments for their assistance in securing King’s release.
“U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We appreciate the hard work of personnel in the Army, United States Forces Korea, and across the Department of Defense to bring Private King home, and we thank the governments of Sweden and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for their assistance,” Pentagon press secretary Brig. General Pat Ryder said in the statement.
Swedish embassy spokesman David Lunderquist confirmed that Sweden played a role in getting King released.
China’s role was limited to helping facilitate King’s transfer out of North Korea, but otherwise Bejing did not play a “mediating role,” a US official said.
ADVERTISEMENTThe US received word earlier this month from Sweden, which acts as the US protecting power in North Korea, that Pyongyang wanted to release King.’
A spokesperson for King’s mother, Claudine Gates said she will be “forever grateful” for the efforts to free her son.
Let’s assume King was racially discriminated against in South Korea.
Why would he believe that he would receive better treatment in North Korea?
The kid has some screws loose.
I’ve also seen some speculation about his release.
North Korea has notoriously been difficult when it comes to releasing Americans.
But why was King released so easily?
Some believe that he could be acting as a spy.
I’m not too sure about this myself, but it’s an interesting theory.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!