North Korea says US soldier fled because of racism in army
US soldier Travis King crossed into North Korea last month due to the “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” in the US army, according to North Korea.
King, 23, dashed across the border from South Korea on 18 July while on a guided tour.
Private King admitted to crossing illegally and wanted refuge in the North, state news agency KCNA reported.
Washington said it could not verify the claims, which are Pyongyang’s first public comments on the case.
The US is trying to negotiate Private King’s release with the help of the UN Command, which runs the border areas.
Responding to the comments, a Pentagon official said their priority was to have Private King brought home safely “through all available channels”.