North Korea offers the first official confirmation that it has detained US soldier Travis King

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has offered its first official confirmation that it detained a U.S. soldier who bolted into its country last month. It released a statement through its state media attributing statements to the Army private that criticized the United States. There was no immediate verification that Pvt. Travis King actually made any of the comments. King had served in South Korea and sprinted into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18. The official Korean Central News Agency said King told them he decided to enter North Korea because he was disillusioned with American society. KCNA is the voice of North Korea’s government.