North Korea detains US soldier who crossed military border into country unauthorised

An American soldier has been detained by North Korea after crossing the military border with South Korea without permission, authorities have confirmed.

Multiple reports in South Korea name the male US soldier as Travis King, and say he crossed the border without permission at 3.27pm local time. It is unclear why he attempted the crossing.

South Korean news site Dong-a Ilbo daily report the country’s army as saying King held the rank of private second class in the US Army.

The Military Demarcation Line (MDL) marks the border between North and South Korea. Sometimes known as the ‘Armistice Line’, it is surrounded by a demilitarised zone and is one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world.

In a statement, the United Nations Command said: “A US National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

“We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.”

South Korean Travel Planning said tours to the Joint Security Area (JSA) have recently resumed. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks and a popular tourist spot.

The US has imposed a travel ban on its citizens to North Korea “due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long term detention of US nationals.”

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