King arrived in Texas via a U.S. military flight, landing at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston around 0530 GMT, as reported by the official. Television footage captured a group of individuals disembarking from the plane upon its arrival.
U.S. Army Private Travis King touched down at a U.S. military facility in Texas in the early hours of Thursday following his expulsion from North Korea, a U.S. defense official confirmed. His return comes two months after a dramatic and unauthorized crossing of the heavily fortified border.
Upon his return, King is scheduled to undergo a thorough medical assessment at Brooke Army Medical Center, situated within Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Notably, this facility also treated basketball star Brittney Griner after her release from Russian detention in December through a prisoner exchange with Russia.
The U.S. government has outlined a plan for King’s reintegration, which includes medical evaluation, ensuring his well-being, and facilitating his reunion with his family.
King, aged 23, made headlines when he crossed into North Korea from South Korea on July 18 while on a civilian tour of the heavily guarded border. He was promptly taken into North Korean custody.
The question remains whether King will face disciplinary action from the U.S. Army. The Army has refrained from labeling him a deserter, despite his unauthorized border crossing during active duty.
From North Korea’s perspective, King’s case was treated as one of illegal immigration. North Korea’s KCNA state news agency reported that King claimed he entered North Korea illegally due to disillusionment with what he described as unequal U.S. society.
The Swedish government, acting on behalf of U.S. interests in North Korea, orchestrated King’s return from North Korea and transported him to China. U.S. Ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, met King in Dandong, China, a city bordering North Korea, before King continued his journey back to the United States via Shenyang, China, and Osan Air Force Base in South Korea.
It’s worth noting that King had faced two allegations of assault in South Korea and had pleaded guilty to one of them, as well as to damaging a police car during a confrontation with Koreans. He was slated to undergo further disciplinary measures upon his return to the United States.
In July, King had completed his military detention and was awaiting U.S. military transport to his home unit in the United States when he instead embarked on a tour of the border area and subsequently crossed into North Korea, despite attempts by South Korean and U.S. guards to prevent him.
