US Soldier Detained in North Korea

[Chimera]

If this was somehow planned; exactly what information would NK get out of Travis ?
Makes no sense.
Omo.

 

[MiamiGuy50]

maybe if they have a mental illness
anyone in their right mind would not 'defect' to North Korea
especially a military soldier!

Seven American servicemen are known to have defected to North Korea after the war:

• Larry Allen Abshier (1962)
• James Joseph Dresnok (1962)
• Jerry Wayne Parrish (1963)
• Charles Robert Jenkins (1965)
• Roy Chung (1979)
• Joseph T. White (1982)
• Travis King (2023)

They each have a crazy story once there. One was forced to marry some Romanian artist who was kidnapped by NK secret agents. jenkins was forced to marry a kidnapped Japanese woman. He was also Forced to act in propaganda films. Beaten and tortured for years. Jenkins also said he was forced to study the literature of Kim il sung for 8 hours a day for like 7 years.

What I find striking is that at least 1 of them have similar stories to Travis, that they were facing punishment or discharge so they were just giving up and said screw up I’d rather not face my punishment.

 

[Inthedetails]

Seven American servicemen are known to have defected to North Korea after the war:

• Larry Allen Abshier (1962)
• James Joseph Dresnok (1962)
• Jerry Wayne Parrish (1963)
• Charles Robert Jenkins (1965)
• Roy Chung (1979)
• Joseph T. White (1982)
• Travis King (2023)

They each have a crazy story once there. One was forced to marry some Romanian artist who was kidnapped by NK secret agents. jenkins was forced to marry a kidnapped Japanese woman. He was also Forced to act in propaganda films. Beaten and tortured for years. Jenkins also said he was forced to study the literature of Kim il sung for 8 hours a day for like 7 years.

What I find striking is that at least 1 of them have similar stories to Travis, that they were facing punishment or discharge so they were just giving up and said screw up I’d rather not face my punishment.

Thanks for providing those links. Fascinating info that's new to me.

 

[LadyL]

Seven American servicemen are known to have defected to North Korea after the war:

• Larry Allen Abshier (1962)
• James Joseph Dresnok (1962)
• Jerry Wayne Parrish (1963)
• Charles Robert Jenkins (1965)
• Roy Chung (1979)
• Joseph T. White (1982)
• Travis King (2023)

They each have a crazy story once there. One was forced to marry some Romanian artist who was kidnapped by NK secret agents. jenkins was forced to marry a kidnapped Japanese woman. He was also Forced to act in propaganda films. Beaten and tortured for years. Jenkins also said he was forced to study the literature of Kim il sung for 8 hours a day for like 7 years.

What I find striking is that at least 1 of them have similar stories to Travis, that they were facing punishment or discharge so they were just giving up and said screw up I’d rather not face my punishment.

I've just entered bizarro world!

 

[Chimera]

@LadyL ; Indeed.

For whatever it's worth, how did Travis King think this was a better option ?
If this is what happened ?

In this day and age, people have more knowledge of what's facing people who are either held captive or go there of their own volition.
And it's usually not good.
The fate of Otto Warmbier haunts me.
Despite the oddness of TK's case (was he really seen getting into a van on the other side ? If so, my goodness, what in the world !), I wish he could be brought back somehow.

Part of me thinks well just let him stew for a while in his own decision.
But his anxious and worried family -- plus, I feel like he's already regretting his decision ?
Omo.

 

[MiamiGuy50]

@LadyL ; Indeed.

For whatever it's worth, how did Travis King think this was a better option ?
If this is what happened ?

In this day and age, people have more knowledge of what's facing people who are either held captive or go there of their own volition.
And it's usually not good.
The fate of Otto Warmbier haunts me.
Despite the oddness of TK's case (was he really seen getting into a van on the other side ? If so, my goodness, what in the world !), I wish he could be brought back somehow.

Part of me thinks well just let him stew for a while in his own decision.
But his anxious and worried family -- plus, I feel like he's already regretting his decision ?
Omo.

With North Korea aggressive relations toward South Korea, I’m wondering if they’ll be lenient with king (considering he was accused of physically assaulting south Koreans in fights.)

The other thing: as crazy as it sounds, but might the van be a sign that King became a spy for North Korea, or maybe he switched teams? Maybe after him facing discharge he grew disdain for america? It seems way too convenient for the van to be there.

I also have another theory he’s been drunk the entire time (even at the airport), and he’s been acting irrationally due to that. I think it was Jenkins in the 60s who’s drank 10 beers then left his troops to cross the minefield into North Korea.

 

[thefragile7393]

Seven American servicemen are known to have defected to North Korea after the war:

• Larry Allen Abshier (1962)
• James Joseph Dresnok (1962)
• Jerry Wayne Parrish (1963)
• Charles Robert Jenkins (1965)
• Roy Chung (1979)
• Joseph T. White (1982)
• Travis King (2023)

They each have a crazy story once there. One was forced to marry some Romanian artist who was kidnapped by NK secret agents. jenkins was forced to marry a kidnapped Japanese woman. He was also Forced to act in propaganda films. Beaten and tortured for years. Jenkins also said he was forced to study the literature of Kim il sung for 8 hours a day for like 7 years.

What I find striking is that at least 1 of them have similar stories to Travis, that they were facing punishment or discharge so they were just giving up and said screw up I’d rather not face my punishment.

I want to say that one of those noted men has an autobiography out on Amazon...can't remember which one.

 

[thefragile7393]

With North Korea aggressive relations toward South Korea, I’m wondering if they’ll be lenient with king (considering he was accused of physically assaulting south Koreans in fights.)

The other thing: as crazy as it sounds, but might the van be a sign that King became a spy for North Korea, or maybe he switched teams? Maybe after him facing discharge he grew disdain for america? It seems way too convenient for the van to be there.

I also have another theory he’s been drunk the entire time (even at the airport), and he’s been acting irrationally due to that. I think it was Jenkins in the 60s who’s drank 10 beers then left his troops to cross the minefield into North Korea.

is it confirmed there was a van waiting? Last I saw he disappeared into the forest

 

[thefragile7393]

If this was somehow planned; exactly what information would NK get out of Travis ?
Makes no sense.
Omo.

Believe it or not....they can be useful to NK. It's happened in some other communist countries over the years....google The Red Elvis for an interesting podcast about an american citizen (non military) who was used as a propaganda tool for east germany. He can be used for such purposes-if he complies he may be treated well (comparatively vs those who resist or those who are citizens who are facing punishment). Other military servicemen who defected to NK were used in such a manner. He could be quite valuable to them-if they choose to see him that way.

 

[Inthedetails]

Believe it or not....they can be useful to NK. It's happened in soviet countries over the years....google The Red Elvis for an interesting podcast about an american citizen (non military) who was used as a propaganda tool for east germany. He can be used for such purposes-if he complies he may be treated well (comparatively vs those who resist or those who are citizens who are facing punishment). Other military servicemen who defected to NK were used in such a manner. He could be quite valuable to them-if they choose to see him that way.

Yes, from what I learned just this morning, thanks to WS, is that the others were definitely used a propaganda in North Korea. Doesn't mean he will be treated well, though.

jmo

 

[Chimera]

Agreed @Inthedetails ; regarding TK's treatment.
It could go either way !
Chilling.
Even IF TK did this completely willingly, I'm still sad for his worried loved ones.

It's possible there may be a scramble going on even as we speak; to negotiate for his safe release ?
What a mess.
Omo.

 

[thefragile7393]

Yes, from what I learned just this morning, thanks to WS, is that the others were definitely used a propaganda in North Korea. Doesn't mean he will be treated well, though.

jmo

No it does not....hence why I said it could go either way. I can say the known ones for the most part were treated comparitively better than a citizen in trouble, but of course that isn't a guarantee. It would be dangerous to go in there thinking that you're going to be considered in such a way. Not worth that risk.

 

[thefragile7393]

Agreed @Inthedetails ; regarding TK's treatment.
It could go either way !
Chilling.
Even IF TK did this completely willingly, I'm still sad for his worried loved ones.

It's possible there may be a scramble going on even as we speak; to negotiate for his safe release ?
What a mess.
Omo.

Are they even going to negotiate for him? Unlike Otto, I don't know if our country is going to spin wheels to get him out, esp since he voluntarily went that way. Otto was accused of a crime (without proof) and treated horribly because of that accusation.

 

[PrairieWind]

Are they even going to negotiate for him? Unlike Otto, I don't know if our country is going to spin wheels to get him out, esp since he voluntarily went that way. Otto was accused of a crime (without proof) and treated horribly because of that accusation.

I suppose the State Department has some obligation to try to get him back since he is a US citizen. But he did go over voluntarily. I would say that first, there must be some sort of request by him that he wants to come back. I'm sure the North Koreans will try to get some sort of cash deal out of this, but I sure hope that doesn't happen.

 

[tarabull]

Mounting US worries over Private Travis King after silence from North Korea

The United States on Thursday voiced mounting concern over Army Private Travis King, who dashed into North Korea two days ago, saying Pyongyang had a history of mistreating captured Americans.

www.reuters.com

 

[Warwick1991]

Mounting US worries over Private Travis King after silence from North Korea

The United States on Thursday voiced mounting concern over Army Private Travis King, who dashed into North Korea two days ago, saying Pyongyang had a history of mistreating captured Americans.

www.reuters.com

I'm not optimistic about King's future at all. With the US relationship with NK at such a low ebb, I wouldn't be surprised if they either imprisoned him or executed him as a spy.

 

[PrairieWind]

I'm not optimistic about King's future at all. With the US relationship with NK at such a low ebb, I wouldn't be surprised if they either imprisoned him or executed him as a spy.

I'm not sure they would want to imprison him really. He isn't worth anything to them.

 

[Inthedetails]

I'm not sure they would want to imprison him really. He isn't worth anything to them.

Propaganda. They could use him to show their own citizens how awful the west is. That's that they did with other soldiers who defected to North Korea in the past. (I know so much, lol, after reading this thread!)

jmo

 

[thefragile7393]

Propaganda. They could use him to show their own citizens how awful the west is. That's that they did with other soldiers who defected to North Korea in the past. (I know so much, lol, after reading this thread!)

jmo

It's a fascinating topic to me, it's sent me down several rabbit holes with websites and books from Amazon

 

[Inthedetails]

It's a fascinating topic to me, it's sent me down several rabbit holes with websites and books from Amazon

It's one of the benefits of WS, imo. The rabbit holes and additional info I learn is fun - you never know where a case will lead.

I know, I know... I'm a nerd But hoping fellow WSers get it.

jmo