American soldiers who ran into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago arrived back in the US early Thursday, video appeared to show.
Pvt. Travis King’s release was secured with the help of Swedish ally and rival China, the White House said on Wednesday.
North Korea suddenly announced earlier that day that it would expel the soldier.
Although officials say King is in good health and the immediate focus is on caring for him and reintegrating him into US society, his problems may not be over yet.
King, who had served in South Korea, ran into the North while on a public visit to a border village on July 18, becoming the first American to be confirmed detained in the iso in nearly five years.
At the time, he was supposed to be headed to Fort Bliss, Texas, after being released from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.
He was declared AWOL by the Army.
In most cases, someone who is AWOL for more than a month can automatically be considered a deserter.
Pvt. Travis King’s release was secured with the help of Swedish ally and rival China, the White House said Wednesday. and pants. APTravis King meets with military officials as he departs from a plane in San Antonio, Texas on September 28, 2023.CNN
Penalties for AWOL or desertion can vary, and depend in part on whether the service member voluntarily returned or was captured.
The King’s surrender by North Korea makes it even more complicated.
Video posted Thursday by a Texas news station appeared to show King exiting the plane in San Antonio.
Penalties for AWOL or desertion can vary, and depend in part on whether the service member voluntarily returned or was captured. VIA REUTERS
Dressed in a dark top and trousers, he appeared to speak briefly to the crowd waiting on the street.
He shook hands with a person before being led into a building.
On Wednesday, Swedish officials took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, Sweden’s ambassador to China, and at least one US Department of Defense official.
King, who served in South Korea, fled to the North while on a public visit to a border village on July 18, becoming the first confirmed American to be detained in nearly five years.AP
He was then flown to a US military base in South Korea before being returned to the US.
It is unclear why the North – which has strained relations with Washington over Pyongyang’s nuclear program, support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and other issues – agreed to hand it over or why the soldier fled in the first place.
Biden administration officials insist they are not making concessions to North Korea to secure his release.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
