VAM News Update

U.S. soldier facing disciplinary action crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea on Tuesday and was believed to be in North Korean custody, U.S. officials said, creating a fresh crisis for Washington in its dealings with the nuclear-armed state.

The United Nations Command that oversees the demilitarized zone area at the border earlier on Tuesday identified the individual as a U.S. national who had crossed into North Korea without authorization while on a tour. It said the person was likely in custody but offered no other details.

The yet-to-be-identified US soldier was taking part in a tour of the Joint Security Area, the border village in the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas where soldiers from both sides stand guard.

UN Command tweeted, “A US National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and is working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident,’ it added, referring to North Korea’s People’s Army.”

Since July 1953 when the Armistice was signed, the Military Demarcation Line marks the border between North and South Korea.

The Korean Demilitarised Zone sits on either side of the border, stretching 2km each way.