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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Edward Helmore

US soldier was reportedly laughing when crossing border into North Korea

US soldier Travis King, who was being held in military detention in South Korea when he fled over the inter-Korean border to North Korea
US soldier Travis King, who was being held in military detention in South Korea when he fled over the inter-Korean border to North Korea. Photograph: Social Media/Reuters

A US soldier who crossed into North Korea while on a tour group after escaping military detention was laughing as he fled over the inter-Korean border, according to media reports.

US and Korean officials identified the soldier as Private 2nd Class Travis King, according to CBS News. King, 23, was being held in custody by South Korea at the airport in Incheon, near Seoul, and in the process of being expelled when he fled.

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