Travis King
American US soldier, 2023 defector to North Korea (born 2000) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Travis Travale King (born February 15, 2000) is an American United States Army soldier known for crossing over the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea on July 18, 2023, while on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).[1][2]
Travis King | |
---|---|
Born | (2000-02-15) February 15, 2000 (age 24) |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 2021–present[lower-alpha 1] |
Rank | Private |
Unit | 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division 4th Infantry Division[lower-alpha 2] |
Awards |
King was facing dishonorable discharge and additional disciplinary actions from the United States Army due to legal charges in South Korea, the country he was stationed in at the time of the crossing, as well as other cases of misconduct, insubordination, assault, attempted escape from U.S. military custody, and possession of child pornography,[3][4][5] potentially prompting his crossing.[6][7] However, North Korean authorities asserted that King fled after becoming "disillusioned with the inequality of American society and racial discrimination in its Army."[8][9]
King was detained by North Korea on July 18, 2023, and was released on September 27, 2023, back to U.S. authorities.[10][11][12] King was the first known detention of a U.S. national by North Korea since Bruce Byron Lowrance in November 2018.[13][14]