American soldier Travis King has arrived back on U.S. soil after being expelled by North Korea, months after he ran across the border from South Korea into the reclusive state and sparked an international incident.
The U.S. Army private landed in San Antonio, Texas, in the early hours of Thursday, a defense official said.
King was expected to be taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, according to two defense officials.
During his time there, he is expected to undergo post-isolation support activities, known as PISA, which are designed to help prisoners of war, hostages and wrongfully detained Americans reacclimatize to being in the U.S. and respond to any trauma or post-traumatic stress.
In a briefing call Wednesday, senior administration officials said King appeared to be in good health and good spirits — and was “very happy” to be on his way home and closer to reuniting with family.
What lies ahead for King following the acclimatization process was not immediately clear.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Army said Wednesday that King’s status would be addressed “at a later time.”
“The Army’s focus right now is on ensuring the soldier’s well-being and privacy,” U.S. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee said.
King, 23, raced across the border into North Korea from South Korea on July 18 during a public tour of the demilitarized zone.
A statement reported by the state-run news agency KCNA on Wednesday said the U.S. soldier had “illegally intruded” into North Korean territory because he was disillusioned about inhumane treatment and racial discrimination” in the Army and about the “inequality existing within the American Society.”
The U.S. has yet to officially respond to those claims. North Korea was silent on King’s status for weeks before confirming his detention in August.
Prior to crossing the border, King had been released from a South Korean prison and was being escorted by the military to Incheon International Airport near Seoul. He faced…
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