Talks ‘underway’ between North Korea and UN Command over detained US soldier

24 July 2023, 11:44

A TV shows an image of American soldier Travis King during a news programme at Seoul Railway Station in South Korea
South Korea North Korea US. Picture: PA

Negotiations started under a communications line set up under an agreement that ended the fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War, an official said.

Talks between the UN Command and North Korea over an American soldier who ran into the North from South Korea are underway, the group’s deputy commander said.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general, refused to say when the conversation started, how many exchanges have taken place and whether the North Koreans have responded constructively, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

He also declined to detail what the command knows about Private Travis King’s condition.

“None of us know where this is going to end,” Lt Gen Harrison said during a press conference in Seoul on Monday.

“I am in life an optimist and I remain optimistic. But, again, I will leave it at that.”

Private Travis King
Private Travis King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone a day after he was supposed to travel to a base in the US (Family handout/AP)

It was not immediately clear if Lt Gen Harrison’s comments referred to meaningful progress in communications after the command said in a statement last week it was “working with” its North Korean counterparts.

The UN Command, created to fight the Korean War, has remained in South Korea to supervise the implementation of the 1953 armistice that stopped the fighting in the conflict.

The contact happened through “mechanisms” set up under the armistice, Lt Gen Harrison said.

That could refer to the so-called pink phone, a telephone line between the command and the North Korean army at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where Mr King crossed.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed.

South Korean navy sailors wave as the USS nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis arrives at a naval base on Jeju Island
South Korean navy sailors wave as the USS nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis arrives at a naval base on Jeju Island (South Korea defence ministry/AP)

The US, which fought alongside the South Koreans and other allies during the war, never established diplomatic relations with the North but the line is a common way they communicate.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about Mr King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss in Texas after his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

US officials have expressed concern about his wellbeing and said previously North Korea ignored requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about Mr King to maximise leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release.

Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

Mr King’s crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Korea’s weapons demonstrations and the United States’ combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

A TV screen shows US President Joe Biden, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news programme reporting on American soldier Travis King at Seoul Railway Station in South Korea
A TV screen shows US President Joe Biden, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news programme reporting on American soldier Travis King at Seoul Railway Station in South Korea (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

On Monday, South Korea’s military said a nuclear-propelled US submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island.

The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies’ show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first US nuclear-armed submarine to arrive in South Korea since the 1980s.

North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

North Korea’s defence minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentucky’s docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it.

North Korea has used similar rhetoric before but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The US and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of American aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but armed with conventional weapons.

The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Korea’s navy, said the US and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Kris Finney has been missing since Thursday

British man missing in Tenerife not seen for three days as Foreign Office issues statement

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Coco Gauff performs in front of a small crowd at the WTA finals in Saudia Arabia

Tim Henman hits out at ‘disappointing’ crowd after 400 watch women’s finals in Saudi Arabia

Dr Florian Willet, president of Sarco operator The Last Resort, and the suicide pod

First person to use Sarco 'suicide pod' heard three chilling words before death

A British couple were found dead in their car as floods devastated parts of Spain

British couple missing in Spain floods found dead in car after 'popping out' to buy gas

Meredith Kercher's family blast 'lack of sensitivity' over Disney-backed Amanda Knox drama

Amanda Knox accused of 'profiting from murder' by Meredith Kercher's family over Disney-backed trial drama

Kamala Harris moves key rally over Secret Service safety concerns as White House race enters final 24 hours

Kamala Harris moves key rally over Secret Service safety concerns as White House race enters final 24 hours

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris make final pitches

Harris and Trump make closing pitches with two days to election

The Israeli military has said it carried out its first ground operation into Syria - as it announced it had captured a man who has links to Iran (stock images)

IDF confirms first ground operation into Syria of war - and says it has seized a man 'with links to Iran'

Iranian authorities have arrested a woman who was filmed stripping down to her underwear to protest harassment by the regime's morality police.

Iran arrests woman who stripped to underwear to protest morality police harassed over 'improper hijab'

King Felipe

King of Spain and Queen Letizia pelted with mud as angry crowds heckle royals during visit to flash flooded Valencia

TOPSHOT-US-VOTE-POLITICS-EARLY VOTING

Key swing states to watch out for in the 2024 US Election – and why they matter

Donald Trump brands Kamala Harris a 'low IQ person' during Salem rally

Donald Trump brands Kamala Harris a 'low IQ person' during Salem rally

'I've got one vote, I'm going to use it': Harrison Ford backs Kamala Harris in rare presidential endorsement

'I've got one vote, I'm going to use it': Harrison Ford backs Kamala Harris in rare presidential endorsement

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200