North Korea has decided to expel Travis King, an American soldier who crossed into the country in July, state media reported on Wednesday, a rare move that could signal a willingness to engage in more constructive dialogue with the United States.
King, a private first class in the US Army, crossed into North Korea at the Joint Security Area in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on July 18. He was detained by North Korean authorities and has been held in the country ever since.
North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a statement that King had “confessed to illegally intruding into the territory of the DPRK,” the formal abbreviation for North Korea. KCNA did not provide any further details about King’s condition or when he would be expelled.
The United States has welcomed North Korea’s decision to expel King but has also urged North Korea to release all other US citizens who are being held in the country. The United States has also said that it is prepared to engage in dialogue with North Korea without preconditions.
King’s expulsion is the first time in recent years that North Korea has released a US citizen without demanding a ransom or making other political concessions. It is also the first time that North Korea has released a US citizen since President Donald Trump took office in 2017.
Update:
North Korea has not yet released any further information about King’s condition or when he will be expelled. However, the fact that North Korea has made this announcement suggests that King is likely to be released in the near future.
A US State Department spokesperson said on Thursday that the US government is “ready to receive” King as soon as he is released by North Korea. The spokesperson also said that the US government is providing support to King’s family during this difficult time.
Analysts say that North Korea’s decision to expel King is a positive sign.
“This is a positive step forward,” said Robert Kelly, a professor of international relations at Pusan National University in South Korea. “It is the first time in recent years that North Korea has released a US citizen without demanding a ransom or making other political concessions.”
Soo Kim, a policy analyst at the Rand Corporation, said that North Korea’s decision to expel King could be a sign that the country is willing to engage in more constructive dialogue with the United States.
“North Korea has held several rounds of high-level talks with South Korea in recent months and has also expressed interest in resuming talks with the United States,” Kim said.
However, analysts also caution that it is important to remain vigilant. North Korea has a long history of making promises that it does not keep. It is also important to remember that North Korea is still a nuclear-armed country that poses a serious threat to the United States and its allies.
ALSO READ | Kim Jong-un, Putin Pledge Deeper Cooperation in All Areas, Raising Concerns
North Korea’s decision to expel Travis King is a positive development, but it is important to remain cautious. It remains to be seen whether North Korea is truly willing to engage in meaningful dialogue with the United States. However, King’s expulsion is a sign that North Korea is willing to cooperate with the United States to some extent.