U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea was facing disciplinary action

In this photo taken on May 9, South Korean soldiers stand guard as they face North Korea in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

A U.S. soldier is believed to be in custody in North Korea after crossing the border without authorization, according to officials from the Pentagon and the United Nations body that oversees the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

The Pentagon identified the soldier as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who has been in the Army since January 2021. Army spokesman Bryce Dubee told NPR that King was on a Korean force rotation.