North Korean officials have confirmed they have the U.S. soldier who crossed into their border and claim he has defected due to ‘racial discrimination.’
The Associated Press reported the official Korean Central News Agency has claimed Pvt. Travis King “harbored ill feelings against inhuman mistreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.”
The agency also noted he “was disillusioned at the unequal American society.”
An official with the Department of Defense noted there is no way to confirm whether this statement is true or not.
In addition, an expert with Virginia-based consultancy LMI and a former CIA analyst, Soo Kim, said, “This is 100% North Korean propaganda in its element. King, as an American citizen held in North Korea, has no sway in how (North Korea) chooses to cast its narrative.”
She also noted the U.S. cannot do anything at this time.
“Perhaps the regime will try to ‘bargain’ King’s life in exchange for financial concessions from the U.S. More than likely, negotiations won’t be easy and terms will be dictated by Pyongyang,” she added.
The family’s spokesperson, Jonathan Franks, noted King’s mother, Claudine Gates, has asked North Korea to give her son humane treatment.
He said, “She’s a mom worried about her son and would be grateful for a phone call from him.”
“Lastly, she has been in touch with the Army this evening and appreciates a (Defense Department) statement that it remains focused on bringing Travis home,” he added.
Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have been escalating.
Since the start of last year, North Korea has executed over 100 weapons tests, while U.S. officials have noted expanding military cooperation on ballistic missile defense is likely and will include allies South Korea and Japan.