Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel Pvt. Travis King, but suspected Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information
US soldier's dash into North Korea leaves family members baffled: ‘I don't understand why he would do that'His expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.why King went to North Korea in the first place.
The soldier was in “good spirits and good health” upon his release, according to one senior administration official. He was to be taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and was expected to arrive overnight, officials said. A New Zealand tourist remembers the moment an American soldier ran across the heavily-fortified border between South Korea and North Korea.
It had attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible. Some previous foreign detainees have said after their releases that declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion. King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.
North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Korea says it will 'expel' Travis King, U.S. soldier who ran across border in JulyNorth Korean state media say U.S. soldier Travis King, who ran across the border in July, will be expelled from the country.
Read more »
North Korea to 'expel' US soldier Travis King, who crossed from South, state media reportsNorth Korea has decided “to expel” US Army Private Travis King, who crossed into the North from South Korea during a tour of the joint security area in July, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.
Read more »
Travis King: North Korea to expel US soldier over illegal border crossingNorth Korea has decided to expel American soldier Travis King who it said has admitted to illegal intrusion into the country and was 'disillusioned about unequal U.S. society,' state media KCNA said on Wednesday.
Read more »