Seeking asylum, North Korea claims that US soldiers crossing the border feel "disillusioned" with the United States. US soldiers crossing the border | North Korea

Last month, US soldier Travis Kim suddenly crossed the border from Panmunjom into North Korea as he was about to return home, and there has been no news since then. After nearly a month, North Korea confirmed for the first time on August 16th that this American soldier had been detained by the North Korean side.In response, the US Department of Defense stated that it is unable to verify the statements of North Korean official media.

Disillusionment with the United States

According to the Korean Central News Agency, on July 18th, an incident occurred in Panmunjom where US soldier Travis Kim illegally invaded North Korean territory. In the afternoon of that day, Jin infiltrated the tourists and intentionally invaded the North Korean area while visiting the Panmunjom Joint Security Zone. He was later controlled by the Korean People's Army duty personnel. After investigation by the North Korean side, Kim has admitted to the fact of illegal intrusion into North Korean territory.

The report also stated that during the investigation, Kim admitted that he decided to come to North Korea because he was dissatisfied with the "inhumane abuse and racial discrimination" present in the US military. He also stated that he felt "disillusioned" with the inequality in American society and expressed his desire to seek asylum from North Korea or a third country.

The report states that the North Korean side will continue to investigate this matter.

It is reported that the US military, named Travis King, is a second-class soldier in the Army. He is 23 years old and enlisted in January 2021. He is currently undergoing rotation in the US military stationed in South Korea. He is an African American.

Regarding the report by Korean Central News Agency, the US Department of Defense responded that it is impossible to verify the claim that China and Kim voluntarily went to the United States and sought asylum, and will focus on ensuring their safe return home. Pentagon officials also stated that they are attempting to achieve this goal through all available channels.

Previously, the US has repeatedly stated that the soldier crossed the military demarcation line between North and South Korea "intentionally and voluntarily".

Kim's uncle, Myron Gates, also told ABC News that his nephew had experienced racial discrimination during his stay in South Korea. After serving his sentence in a Korean prison, he didn't even look like him anymore.

According to previous reports, Travis Kim was detained for nearly two months during his stay in South Korea for assaulting someone. He was originally scheduled to be deported back to his home country on July 17th via Incheon International Airport near Seoul and subjected to further military discipline.

However, when passing through customs at the airport, he did not board the plane after getting rid of the escorts, but instead re-entered South Korea and later joined a tour group to visit Panmunjom. At Panmunjom, other tourists saw Kim laughing and rushing across the military demarcation line between North and South Korea before being taken away by North Korean guards.

What is the future destiny?

The public opinion believes that the fate of Jin's future still faces uncertainty.

According to Reuters, the US military refused to identify Travis King as a prisoner of war.

As an active duty soldier of the US military, Kim may be eligible to become a prisoner of war and be protected by the Geneva Conventions for prisoners of war. Due to the Korean War ending in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, the United States and North Korea are actually still in a state of war.

But US officials have previously stated that Kim not only wore casual clothes, but also voluntarily entered North Korea, which seems to have deprived him of the qualification to obtain prisoner of war status.

In addition, analysts believe that Kim's presence will provide North Korea with new bargaining chips to negotiate with the United States, allowing it to win concessions from the Biden administration. This matter may also serve as an opportunity to break the deadlock in North Korea US dialogue.

The Associated Press pointed out that in the recent tense situation and escalating hostility on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea may use the release of US soldiers as a bargaining chip in exchange for a reduction in military activities between the United States and South Korea.

Since the beginning of this year, the United States and South Korea have frequently conducted military exercises in the peninsula region, while North Korea has repeatedly tested missiles in response. At present, the vicious cycle of "hard hitting" is still ongoing.

The annual summer joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will begin on August 21st. During the US, Japan, and South Korea summit held on August 18th, it is expected that the three sides will also promote cooperation in areas such as ballistic missile defense technology.

North Korean leader Kim Jong un recently ordered a significant increase in missile production. In addition, the North Korean side also condemns the United States for calling for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss human rights issues in North Korea. North Korea's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Institutions, Kim Hyun kyung, stated that while the United States politicizes human rights issues, it also faces human rights issues such as racial discrimination, gun abuse, child abuse, and forced labor.