US Department of Defense: "Private King Who Defected to North Korea's Asylum Intentions Unconfirmed... Focusing on Safe Return"

North Korea "Requests Asylum Citing Abuse and Racial Discrimination"
US Government Discusses Designation as Prisoner of War

Last month on the 18th, the U.S. Department of Defense distanced itself from North Korea's claim that Private Travis King, a U.S. soldier who defected to North Korea through Panmunjom, expressed his intention to seek asylum. While the U.S. government continues attempts to contact North Korea with the goal of ensuring King's safe return, some within the U.S. government are reportedly discussing whether to designate Private King as a prisoner of war and negotiate a prisoner exchange with North Korea.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 15th (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense stated in a press release that it "cannot verify" North Korea's claim regarding Private King's intention to seek asylum. A Pentagon spokesperson emphasized, "We are focused on the safe return of Travis King," adding, "The Department of Defense's priority is to bring Private King home." They further stated, "We are using all available lines of communication to move forward on this."

Earlier, North Korean authorities claimed through the Korean Central News Agency that Private King had expressed his intention to seek asylum. The agency reported that King "confessed to harboring resentment against inhumane abuse and racial discrimination within the U.S. military and decided to cross over to North Korea," and that he "expressed disillusionment with the unequal American society and declared his intention to seek asylum in North Korea or a third country."

U.S. officials told CNN, "Repeated attempts have been made to confirm Private King's status, but as of last week, no substantive response has been received." North Korean authorities have stated that King illegally crossed their national border and that an investigation is ongoing.

Some within the U.S. government are reportedly also discussing whether to designate Private King as a prisoner of war. CNN reported, "According to U.S. Department of Defense officials, if Private King is designated as a prisoner of war, he could receive greater protections under the Geneva Conventions," but "no final decision has been made yet, and King is still considered an absent without leave (AWOL) soldier."

Private King defected through Panmunjom, and considering the current situation along the Demilitarized Zone, CNN analyzed that there is a potential for him to be granted prisoner of war status. In that case, North Korea, as a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, would be required to follow the convention's guidelines to ensure King's personal safety.

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