Travis King's dash to North Korea exposes immigration loophole concerning US Forces
Korea HeraldAug 01, 2023
The Facts
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency Wednesday claimed that a US soldier who defected to the North last month sought refuge from "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination" in the US.
It was the first time North Korea acknowledged that it had detained the 23-year-old US Army private 2nd Class Travis King, who made an illegal crossing from South Korea on July 18 while on a guided civilian tour of the Joint Security Area.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
When authoritarian states like Russia, China, and Iran take American soldiers captive, they usually demand a price for their release. Washington is concerned that North Korea may capitalize on King's defection and set a price for his return. King may have entered the hermetic country because he was running away from his legal problems and concerns of systemic racism, but the most important task right now is getting him home safely.
Establishment-critical narrative
King illegally intruded into the territory of North Korea because of deep racial discrimination in the US Army. While Washington likes to judge other countries atop its pedestal, the US has many issues of its own that need to be addressed, including racial discrimination. A deep investigation into this case by the North's officials is well warranted.
