Travis King

Travis Travale King (born February 15, 2000) is a United States Army soldier who crossed over the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea on 18 July 2023 while on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). King was facing dishonorable discharge from the United States Army due to legal charges in South Korea, the country he was stationed in at the time of the crossing. King was detained by North Korean authorities on 18 July 2023 and was released on 27 September 2023 back to U.S. authorities. King was the first known detention of a U.S. national by North Korea since Bruce Byron Lowrance in November 2018. Early life and military service King was born on February 15, 2000 to father Thomas King and mother Claudine Gates. He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, and attended Washington Park High School, graduating in 2020. King enlisted in the United States Army in January 2021. He became a cavalry scout and was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which arrived in South Korea in February 2022.