The U.S. Negotiates The North Korean Soldier’s Returning Home.

Then, on September 27, North Korea announced unexpectedly that it would be expelling Pvt. Travis King. During this time of heightened tension between the two countries, it was feared that North Korea would keep him in custody for as long as possible in order to gain concessions from the United States.

As reported by the Associated Press, “Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel King, but suspected Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman, he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information,” leading them to believe that King’s expulsion was politically motivated. An unnamed official with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified speculated that North Korea thought it was more difficulty to retain King, 23, than to just release him.

U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Swedish ambassador to China, and a U.S. Defense Department official were all present to greet King as he arrived at the Chinese border after being transported there by Swedish officials. The Biden administration said they did not make any concessions to North Korea in exchange for the soldier’s freedom.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, “We thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King.”

After King was captured, he was taken to a U.S. military base in South Korea before being flown back to the States.