North Korea Expels US Soldier (News21USA): According to state media KCNA, North Korea has made the decision to «expel» US Army Private Travis King, who crossed into North Korea from South Korea during a visit to the joint security area in July.

KCNA reported that «the relevant organ of the DPRK decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK, under the law of the Republic.» The report also stated that the investigation into King had been completed.

The report from KCNA did not provide details about where, when, or how King would be expelled.

Travis King crossed the military demarcation line from South Korea into North Korea in July while on a tour of the Joint Security Area in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). He faced assault charges in South Korea and was scheduled to return to Fort Bliss, Texas, and be discharged from the military one day before he crossed into North Korea.

North Korea claims that King has confessed to illegally intruding into their territory due to dissatisfaction with the treatment and racial discrimination he experienced in the US Army, as well as disillusionment with the unequal US society. However, the authenticity of these statements has not been verified.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has previously stated that it wouldn’t be surprising if North Korea used Travis King as a propaganda tool or bargaining chip. The US government is focused on obtaining information about King, including his whereabouts, conditions, and health.