Travis King (American soldier)
# Travis King (American soldier)

Travis T. King (born 1999 or 2000) is a United States Army soldier who allegedly defected to North Korea on 18 July 2023.

## Early life and military service

King was born in 1999 or 2000 to mother Claudine Gates.

King attended Washington Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin, graduating in 2020. He enlisted in the United States Army in January 2021. He became a cavalry scout and was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which arrived in South Korea in late February 2022. He faced legal troubles in October 2022 when he damaged a police vehicle during an altercation with South Korean locals. Due to this, he stayed behind when his unit returned to the United States. King was then administratively attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

## Detention in South Korea and escape to North Korea

Following charges of assault, King was held for 47 days at a South Korean detention facility before being released on 10 July 2023. After his release, King spent a week at a United States military base in South Korea under observation. He completed out-processing from the facility and on 17 July 2023, was escorted to the Incheon International Airport as far as the customs checkpoint. The military escort had no ticket and was not allowed past the checkpoint, so King continued into the terminal alone. King was to board a flight to Fort Bliss, Texas for additional disciplinary action in the United States, but instead fled the airport.

King bought a ticket to a public tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom, where he crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Joint Security Area into North Korea on 18 July 2023.

As of 20 July 2023, King is believed to be in North Korea under custody by the North Korean government.

## Awards and decorations

King has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

