North Korea concluded that Travis King wants refuge there or in another country because of "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination" in the US and the military, state media said Wednesday, Pyongyang's first public acknowledgement of King's crossing from South Korea on July 18.

SEOUL, Aug 16 (Reuters) - North Korea concluded that Travis King wants refuge there or in another country because of “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” in the U.S. and the military, state media said on Wednesday, Pyongyang’s first public acknowledgement of King’s crossing from South Korea on July 18.

    • rgb3x3@beehaw.org
      4·
      11 months ago

      The stated reasons may not actually be why he went up there, but it’s certainly the kind of thing the North Korean propaganda machine would say. It not only makes the US military look bigoted, it also makes North Korea look welcoming and friendly (to those who believe them anyway).

      The reality is definitely that the Army Private is an idiot and North Korea is still terrible.

  • ParanoidAndr0id@kbin.social
    8·
    11 months ago

    Most likely he just didn’t want to return to be disceplined and likely face a dishonorable discharge. Seems like he was having issues in Korea, according to the article at least.

  • magnetosphere @beehaw.org
    7·
    11 months ago

    “Assault” can be a lot of things. I’d like to know the details of what he was accused of… though it’s hard to imagine why anything short of a murder charge would cause him to flee to a totalitarian nightmare like North Korea.

  • DougHolland@kbin.social
    1·
    11 months ago

    North Korea seems an odd place to escape to, especially after this poor schmo delivered “a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans.” He probably won’t be sending post cards to friends and family in America, but what the heck, I sincerely wish him a happy life in his new home.

    @Madison_rogue