US still seeking information after soldier entered North Korea

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration is continuing to seek information after an American soldier unlawfully entered North Korea, the White House said Wednesday.

"We are still gathering all the facts. It is still very early on," spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "But I want to be very clear that the administration has and will continue to actively work to ensure his safety and the return of private King, to us and to his family."

The administration has identified the soldier as Pvt. Travis King. He remains in North Korean custody after crossing the heavily militarized border separating the Koreas on Sunday.

The Defense Department has been in dialogue with North Korea's military, known as the Korean People's Army, in an attempt to secure King's release and ascertain the facts that led up to his capture.

King was reportedly on his way back to the US to face disciplinary action after spending time in a South Korean military prison on assault charges.

King had cleared airport security in South Korea on his way back to the US when he joined a tour group that was slated to visit the border village of Panmunjom where he crossed into North Korea illegally, according to media reports.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that King "willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line."

"We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin, and engaging to address this incident," he said. "I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. And so we will remain focused on this, and again, this will develop in the next several days and hours".