US soldier detained by North Korea after crossing border
Amy Hartford
An American soldier is in North Korean custody after straying into the country from South Korea during a tour of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the two countries.
The incident happened on Tuesday morning local time when the soldier crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korea without authorization during an orientation tour organized by a private company.
The American-led United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the area jointly with North Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953, said it was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.
"We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," it said in a tweet.
The UNC did not identify the soldier or provide any details about how or why he crossed the border.
However, four US officials familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that he was a US army soldier and that there were no immediate details about whether he was on duty.
Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare but not unheard of.
In November 2017, a North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by running across the border under fire from his former comrades.
He was hit five times but survived and is now living in South Korea.
In August 1976, two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers while trying to trim a tree that obstructed their view at Panmunjom.
Panmunjom, also known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), is a village inside the DMZ where the armistice to end the Korean War was signed.
It has been a venue for numerous talks and a popular tourist spot for visitors who want to see what the last frontier of the Cold War looks like.
The border crossing comes amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, which have drawn international sanctions and condemnation.
On Tuesday, a US nuclear-powered submarine arrived at the Busan naval base in South Korea as a show of force and commitment to the alliance.
The USS Kentucky, which carries ballistic missiles, is one of the largest submarines in the world and can carry up to 24 Trident II missiles.
"This port visit to Busan reflects the United States’ ironclad commitment to the Republic of Korea for our extended deterrence guarantee," US Forces Korea said in a statement.
North Korea has not yet commented on the border incident or the submarine visit.
The country's state media reported last week that it had successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach any part of the US mainland.
The test was seen as a major provocation and a challenge to President Joe Biden, who has said he will pursue a diplomatic approach to denuclearize North Korea.
Additional reading:
