The US soldier who illegally crossed the closely armed border into North Korea from South Korea has returned house.
Private Travis King crossed the border into the North whereas on a tour of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the secretive state from the South in July.
Following his return, he was taken to a Texas military base for medical checks and interviews, the Pentagon stated.
Sweden, an ally of the US, and China, a rival to the superpower, organised his return, the White House confirmed.
North Korea had stated on Wednesday it could deport the serviceman.
Officials stated the 23-year-old is in good well being and the quick focus might be on caring for him and reintegrating him into US society.
However, they added that his troubles are seemingly removed from over.
Private King may face disciplinary proceedings reminiscent of army jail or being dishonourably discharged as a consequence of his crossing.
He had been anticipating to face disciplinary motion over a confrontation with native police that landed him in Korean custody for a month and a half, in keeping with a South Korean authorities official.
But as an alternative of getting on a aircraft at Incheon, close to Seoul, to fly to Texas, Pte King apparently slipped away and joined the personal tour group on the DMZ – earlier than crossing the border with out permission.
He was declared absent with out go away from the military (AWOL) however not thought of a deserter.
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The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) had questioned King and stated he confessed to illegally getting into the North as a result of he harboured “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” throughout the US Army.
He was additionally “disillusioned about the unequal US society”, KCNA added.
King turned the primary American to be detained in North Korea for nearly 5 years.
Several US troopers stationed in South Korea have tried to abandon or defect to North Korea, however King’s expulsion got here comparatively shortly in comparison with others who spent years there earlier than being launched from the reclusive state.
In an interview final month with The Associated Press, Mr King’s mom, Claudine Gates, stated her son had “so many reasons” to need to come house.
“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she stated.
In July, King’s sister stated he was “not the type to get into trouble“.
Jaqueda Gates instructed NBC News: “This is crazy. I was just talking to him, literally 48 hours ago (before the DMZ incident).
“My brother, he is not the sort to get into hassle like that. It all simply sounds made up.”
Source: information.sky.com”