How a US soldier made a mad dash into North Korea

A U.S. flag hangs on the porch and a "Proud parent of a U.S. Army soldier" sticker adorns the car outside the home of 23-year-old Private Travis King's mother in Racine, Wisconsin, U.S., July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Eric Cox

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Army Private Travis T. King had finished serving time in detention in South Korea and was being escorted to the airport to fly home and likely face disciplinary action. But he never made it to his plane.

Instead, he passed alone through security to his departure gate and then fled, one official said. The Korea Times, citing an airport official, reported that King told airline workers he couldn't board his flight because his passport was missing.