American Soldier's Mysterious Defection to North Korea Leaves US Officials in the Dark

North Korea has not responded to US attempts to discuss the American soldier who crossed the heavily armed border, leaving his prospects for a quick release uncertain. Pvt. Travis King, the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the border village of Panmunjom. The motive for his border crossing is unknown. The US government is working to gather information about King's well-being and whereabouts, while experts speculate on North Korea's likely course of action.