Travis King Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Travis King
Born	c. 2000 (age c. 25)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	2021–2023
Rank	Private (formerly Private First Class)
Unit	1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division 4th Infantry Division
Awards	National Defense Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal Overseas Service Ribbon

Travis Travale King, born around 2000, is a former soldier in the United States Army. He became known for crossing into North Korea on July 18, 2023. This happened while he was on a tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He crossed the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA).

At the time, King was 23 years old. He was facing serious actions from the U.S. Army. This was due to problems with his behavior and following rules while stationed in South Korea. North Korean officials later said that King fled because he was "unhappy with the unfairness of American society and racial discrimination in its Army."

King was held by North Korea from July 18, 2023, until September 27, 2023. He was then released back to U.S. officials. He was the first known U.S. citizen to be held by North Korea since 2018.

Early Life
Military Service
Awards and Decorations
See also

Early Life

Travis King was born to Thomas King and Claudine Gates. He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. He went to Washington Park High School and finished in 2020.

Military Service

King joined the United States Army in January 2021.

In September 2022, King was involved in an incident at a nightclub in Seoul, South Korea. The person involved did not press charges, and the case was closed.

In October 2022, King had another problem with local people in Mapo, Seoul. When police tried to talk to him, he continued to act aggressively. He shouted insults and kicked the police car door several times. This caused about US$458 in damage. He later admitted to causing trouble and damaging public property. He paid US$783 to fix the vehicle. Because of this, King stayed in South Korea when his unit returned to the United States.

Crossing into North Korea

The Joint Security Area seen from South Korea, where King crossed into North Korea.

After his earlier actions, King was fined US$3,950 in February 2023. He did not pay this fine. He was then held for 47 days in a South Korean facility. He was released on July 10, 2023. After his release, King spent a week at Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base.

On July 17, 2023, he finished his paperwork to leave the facility. The next day, he was taken to Incheon International Airport. He was escorted as far as the customs checkpoint. Since tickets are needed to go past customs, his military escort could not go further. King went into the airport terminal alone. He was supposed to fly to Fort Bliss, Texas. There, he would face military actions because of his legal issues in South Korea. However, he left the airport instead. He told an airline employee he had lost his passport.

After leaving the airport, King joined a group of tourists. They were on a tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom. On July 18, 2023, at 3:27 PM Korean time, he suddenly ran across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). He crossed into North Korea in the Joint Security Area (JSA). Witnesses said King, dressed in black, ran quickly to the North Korean side. He made a loud "laughing" noise as he ran. Soldiers from the South Korean side tried to chase him. It is believed that King was taken by an unknown van in North Korea.

A spokesperson for United States Forces Korea said King "willingly and without permission crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)." On July 20, 2023, the United States Department of Defense said King was absent without leave (AWOL). This means he left without permission.

Time in North Korea

On July 24, 2023, the United Nations Command said they were talking with the North Korean government about King. On August 1, North Korea said they received the request for information. They stated they were looking into the situation. However, they did not give many details about King's status.

On August 4, 2023, the United States said King was not a prisoner of war. This was because he chose to cross into North Korea on his own. On August 15, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea's main news source, confirmed King was in the country. They said King crossed illegally because of "unfair treatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army." KCNA also said King "wanted to find safety in North Korea or another country." He said he was unhappy with the "unequal American society."

Return from North Korea

On September 27, 2023, North Korean state media announced King would be "expelled." They said he would be returned to American care. Later that day, the Swedish government helped bring King to the Chinese border city of Dandong. Sweden acts as the protecting power for the U.S. in North Korea. King was transferred to U.S. care there. This happened after several weeks of private talks. From Dandong, he was flown to Shenyang and then to Osan Air Base in South Korea.

King was then flown to Kelly Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He arrived on September 28, 2023, around 12:30 AM Central Daylight Time. He received medical care at Brooke Army Medical Center. The U.S. Department of Defense said their main goal was to focus on his health and privacy. They also wanted to help him return to his family. The U.S. military also planned to talk with him about his time in North Korea. They wanted to know about any conversations he had with North Korean officials.

Military Charges

The U.S. Army filed several charges against King. These included leaving his post to go into North Korea, and not following orders. He was also charged with aggressive behavior towards other soldiers. In August 2024, it was announced that King would admit guilt to some of these charges. These included leaving his post, three counts of not obeying an officer, and aggressive behavior towards a non-commissioned officer. His lawyer stated that King would not admit guilt to the other charges, which the Army would then drop. He was found guilty of the relevant charges. He was sentenced to 12 months in confinement. However, he was released right away because of good behavior. He had already spent 338 days in detention.

King was also removed from the military with a "dishonorable discharge." This was what the prosecution wanted. King and his lawyers had asked for a "bad conduct discharge."

Awards and Decorations

National Defense Service Medal (2021)
Korea Defense Service Medal (2022)
Overseas Service Ribbon (2022)

Travis King facts for kids

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