North Korea has confirmed the custody of Travis King in its first response to a request for information on the whereabouts of a U.S. soldier, the United Nations Command said.
The 23-year-old private crossed the border from South Korea on July 18 on a guided tour.
The U.N. command said it would not provide further details about Pyongyang’s response at this time.
He said he “didn’t want to interfere with efforts to bring her home”.
However, the response indicates that Pyongyang may be willing to open talks.
The United Nations Command, which oversees the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), requested information about Private King using its direct phone line to the North Korean military in the Joint Security Area.
North Korea has previously acknowledged the request, but this is the first time it has responded, confirming that a US soldier is in its custody.
North Korea has not publicly acknowledged the custody of the private king.
Before crossing the border, Private King served two months in South Korea for assault. He was released on July 10.
He was supposed to fly back to the US to face disciplinary action, but was able to leave the airport and join the DMZ tour.
He is an intelligence specialist who has been in the military since January 2021 and was in South Korea as part of his rotation.
