Well, for the first time, North Korea is acknowledging that
a soldier from Racine ran across its borders.
Last month, Country claims that Private Travis King was seeking
refuge.
Mary Mccarr joining us live now from The Newsroom with
a look at these new comments tonight.
Miriam Well, it's been weeks since King crossed that Demilitarized
Zone into North Korea.
Ever since then, his family has been waiting for word
from the country on how he is and why he
did it.
Tonight, we're hearing from the country that King allegedly ran
to get away from.
Discrimination in the US Army.
For the first time since his dash into the country,
North Korean officials are confirming they have Army private Travis
King in their custody,
the government controlled news agency says.
On Wednesday, King confessed he had harbored ill feelings against
inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army.
He expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK,
saying he was disillusioned at the unequal American Society.
In contrast, King's family and Racine told TMJ 4.
In July, the soldier was looking forward to coming home
to the States.
He was texting.
His sister. And my brother,
like 48 hours before this had happened,
Saying what? Saying they you couldn't wait to come home.
Umm.
So it's strange. It's weird.
King was scheduled to return to the United States to
face possible disciplinary action from the military after spending time
in South Korean prison.
Instead of getting on the plane home,
King joined a tour group to the Demilitarized Zone and
ran across the border to NT.
He's been detained for nearly a month.
On Wednesday, just hours before North Korea released the statement
about King,
TMJ 4 News asked the White House press secretary about
King's situation.
Can you tell us anything new?
About the status of Travis King,
the private from southeast Wisconsin who is in North Korea
right now,
any updates there? So I appreciate the question.
I wish that I had a breakthrough update for all
of you.
I do not what I can ensure and promise that
the United States is going to take every Ave.
to bring home a private king and do everything that
we can to get him home safely,
his safe return, something his family here at home is
pleading for.
We love him to death and he's a part of.
Was missing without him. North Korea says they're still investigating
the incident.
No word yet on how Travis King is doing,
but last week the government announced King would not be
classified as a prisoner of war in The Newsroom.
Mariam Mccarr, TMJ 4 News,
Shannon, Thanks, Miriam.