North Korea has confirmed custody of Travis King in its first response to requests for information on the US soldier’s whereabouts, the UN Command has said.
The 23-year-old private dashed across the border from South Korea on 18 July while on a guided tour.
The UN Command said it would not give more details about Pyongyang’s response at this time.
It said it “did not want to interfere with the efforts to bring him home”.
However, the reply indicates Pyongyang could be ready to start negotiating.
The UN Command, which polices the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), had sought information on Private 2nd Class (PV2) King using its direct phone line to the North Korean Army [KPA] in the Joint Security Area.
“KPA has responded to the United Nations Command with regards to PV2 King. In order not to interfere with our efforts to get him home, we will not go into details at this time,” a statement said.
Source: BBC
