American Soldier's Defection to North Korea Raises Concerns and Questions

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul expresses concern that North Korea may demand concessions from the United States in exchange for releasing American soldier Travis King, who recently fled across the border from South Korea. McCaul suggests that when countries like Russia, China, and Iran capture American soldiers, they often exact a price for their release. It remains unclear why King fled, but McCaul believes it was a serious mistake and hopes for his safe return. The incident occurs as the US docks a nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea to project strength and deter aggression from North Korea and China. McCaul acknowledges the failure of past negotiation and pressure tactics and suggests the need for creative diplomacy and potential military cooperation with North Korea in future operations involving China.