On July 18, 2023, the unthinkable happened. Travis King sprinted across the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from South Korea and was captured by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s military. Since then, the U.S. Soldier in North Korea has been the focal point of advocacy groups, the U.S. government, North Korea, and the international community. A lot of questions still remain regarding the U.S. Soldier held in North Korea, but we might finally be in the process of getting more answers. This is because more than a month later, Private 2nd Class Travis King was expelled from the reclusive nation on September 27, 2023.Related read: North Korea Spy Satellite Launch Fails, But Vows to Try Again

What Happened to the US Soldier in North Korea?

News spread quickly after a group toured near the Korean DMZ earlier in the summer of 2023. Pvt. Travis King did the unthinkable and darted across from South Korea into North Korea. Now, the U.S. Soldier in North Korea was subjected to their treatment, which does not have the best track record. Once everyone realized this U.S. Soldier in North Korea, Travis King, wasn’t pulling off the worst practical joke of all time, reality sank in. Both the United States and the United Nations were now trying to bring King home. It is a bit of a mystery as to what exactly what was happening, as North Korea isn’t always the most reputable source of information. King cited ill-treatment and racism as his reason for defecting, according to the reclusive nation. This is yet to receive confirmation. Now that the U.S. Soldier in custody in North Korea is officially back, people are looking for more answers. This includes uncovering what King went through while he was in the custody of North Korea. This is the same nation that sent detained American student Otto Warmbier back stateside in a coma that he would sadly never recover from.

Travis King is Reportedly Back in American Custody

Over a month later, the U.S. Soldier arrested in North Korea, Travis King, is reportedly back stateside. Videos are showing the U.S. military bringing the Soldier back into the country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQvpCqiXF0 Both China and Sweden helped the American make it home. Though he is in good health, according to reports, the government is taking careful measures before putting him back in the civilian world. This is especially true since Travis King was AWOL while detained in North Korea. When AWOL status occurs for more than a month, the missing person qualifies as a deserter. This can lead to prison time, a dishonorable discharge, and serious financial implications. Instead of going back to Fort Bliss in Texas following his assault conviction served in South Korea’s prison, he fled to North Korea. King remains in the custody of the U.S. military while officials are figuring out his complex legal situation. Suggested read: Will Military & Veteran Pay be Affected by a Government Shutdown?

Travis King Wasn’t the Only US Soldier Detained in North Korea

There have been tragedies where Americans in North Korea's custody never make it back home. The same goes for civilians. In fact, North Koreans are commonly using Americans for negotiations and propaganda. This may be one of the reasons the update on King, the U.S. Soldier in North Korea, hasn’t had the lasting power of other detainees. King wasn't bringing much to the negotiation table, due to his copious issues prior to defecting. So, they simply sent him on his way. As of this writing, Travis King is back home. It is likely that the extent of his actions and the details surrounding them will never be fully uncovered. However, the U.S. government is insisting that there weren’t any concessions to be made in getting him back home. For the sake of his family, it’s a relief to hear that this chapter has closed. Read next: Travis King is the Latest American Warfighter to Defect into North Korea