Washington - Private Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea in July, is now under US custody and en route home after North Korea expelled him into China, as confirmed by the United States on Wednesday.

The details surrounding the diplomatic negotiations leading to King's transfer remain limited; however, this development marks a rare instance of collaboration involving the United States, North Korea, and China. The State Department has announced that King is expected to return to the United States later today.

King, aged 23, made a spontaneous attempt to enter North Korea from the South on July 18 while on a civilian tour near the heavily fortified border, leading to his immediate detention by North Korean authorities.

Despite heated debates within the US government, Washington refrained from designating him as a prisoner of war. In turn, North Korea seemed to treat his case as one of illegal immigration.

According to North Korea's KCNA state news agency, King conveyed to Pyongyang that he entered North Korea illegally due to his disillusionment with the perceived inequalities within US society.

North Korea's decision to expel King, as reported by KCNA, outlined the findings of an investigation into his border crossing. In the preceding month, it was stated that King sought refuge in North Korea or elsewhere due to mistreatment and racial discrimination within the US military.

The Swedish government, representing US interests in North Korea since the United States lacks diplomatic representation there, facilitated King's transfer from North Korea to China.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed the press that King was greeted by the US ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, in Dandong, China—a city along the North Korean border. Subsequently, King traveled from there to Shenyang, China, before reaching Osan Air Force Base in South Korea.

US officials expressed gratitude to Sweden and China, confirming that, according to US diplomatic representatives who saw King, he appeared to be in good health and was "very happy" to be on his way home. King had the opportunity to communicate with his family following his release from North Korea.

His release concluded months of intense diplomatic efforts, with US officials emphasizing that no concessions were made to North Korea in exchange for King.

One senior administration official remarked, "This incident, to our minds, demonstrates that keeping lines of communication open even when ties are strained is a really important thing to do and can deliver results," and added that the US remains open to further diplomacy with North Korea.

Miller clarified that King's return should not be interpreted as a sign of broader breakthroughs in US-North Korea relations, and China's involvement in the matter was that of a transit point, not a mediator.

China's embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate response for comment.

Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for King's mother, Claudine Gates, expressed gratitude to the United States Army and its interagency partners for their efforts.

King's uncle, Myron Gates, previously disclosed that his nephew, who is Black, encountered racism during his military deployment. After spending time in a South Korean jail, King's behavior had noticeably changed.

King enlisted in the US Army in January 2021 and faced two allegations of assault in South Korea. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault and destruction of public property, which stemmed from an incident where he damaged a police car while expressing profanities toward Koreans, as indicated in court documents. Further disciplinary actions awaited him upon his return to the United States.

Having completed his military detention, King was awaiting US military transport to his home unit in the United States at the airport. However, he left the airport and joined a tour of the border area, ultimately crossing despite attempts by South Korean and US guards to stop him.

A US official mentioned that administrative actions against King would be considered after an evaluation, reintegration process, and reunion with his family in the United States. The official declined to comment directly on whether King would face a court martial.

Another US official mentioned that King was headed to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. This is the same facility that treated basketball star Brittney Griner in December of the previous year following her release from Russian detention through a prisoner swap.