What Became of US Citizens Detained in North Korea?

The Fate of US Citizens in North Korean Captivity

A US soldier was recently detained in North Korea having crossed the heavily fortified inter-Korea border without authorisation, a statement made by US officials. The individual, a private from the US Army named Travis King, had chosen to enter North Korea while touring the highly supervised Joint Security Area. This area is a component of the Demilitarised Zone separating the two Koreas.

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The circumstances of King's situation are currently unknown. Many are comparing his case to previous instances of American citizens entering the typically secluded communist nation. Analysts are examining these past interactions for potential insight into how his situation might evolve.

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King has become another figure in a conflict which dates back to the Cold War and spans the era of the 1950 to 1953 Korean War. The following instances provides context for King's predicament:

Otto Warmbier: The Unfortunate 2016 Case

Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old student, was imprisoned for 17 months in North Korea and unfortunately passed away in June 2017 shortly after being returned home in a coma. Warmbier had been apprehended by North Korean officials in January 2016 during a visit organised by a China-based budget tour operator focusing on less-frequented destinations. He was found guilty of trying to steal a propaganda poster and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour. His parents subsequently sued North Korea for his untimely death, leading a US court to order Pyongyang to pay $501m in damages for his torture and subsequent death.

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Case of Bruce Byron Lowrance, 2018

Just before King, Bruce Byron Lowrance, aged 60, was the most recent American known to have been in North Korean custody. He had arrived from China in October 2018, but was deported approximately a month later after confessing to being "under the manipulation of the CIA".

Matthew Miller and his 2014 Spying Charges

In 2014, a 24-year-old teacher named Matthew Miller was accused of entering North Korea illegally for spying purposes. He was sentenced to six years of hard labour but was released later that year following a covert operation by US intelligence.

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Kenneth Bae Imprisoned for "Hostile Acts", 2012

Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae was arrested while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone. Accused of committing “hostile acts”, he was also sentenced to 15 years in prison. Kenneth was able to return to the US in 2014 under the same mission that secured Miller’s release.

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Euna Lee and Laura Ling's Run-In in 2009

California-based journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling faced a crisis in 2009 while reporting on human trafficking. They were accused of entering North Korea illegally with "hostile" intentions and were sentenced to 12 years of hard labour. They were released in August 2009 following a previously unannounced visit from former US president Bill Clinton.

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