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Mother of Army private in North Korea tells AP that her son 'has so many reasons to come home
Channel 3000 News/AP ^ | August 24, 2023 | AP Staff

Posted on 08/24/2023 6:37:48 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

A U.S. Army private who mysteriously sprinted across the border into North Korea last month has “so many reasons to come home," his mother said Wednesday as she cast doubt on a recent statement that suggested her son, Travis King, might be seeking refuge there or in a third country.

Claudine Gates spoke to The Associated Press one week after North Korea released the statement through its state media in which it confirmed for the first time that it had detained the soldier and attributed comments to him criticizing the United States.

“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” Gates, from Racine, Wisconsin, said.

King, 23, had served in South Korea and sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18. U.S. officials have said they are working to get him home.

The official Korean Central News Agency said King, who is Black, had said he decided to enter North Korea because he “harbored ill feelings against inhuman mistreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.” The report also said that King had said he “was disillusioned at the unequal American society" and had expressed his willingness to seek refuge in North Korea or a third country.

U.S. officials last week said they were unable to verify the comments attributed to him, while White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters to “consider the source.” KCNA is the official voice of leader Kim Jong Un’s government and its content reflects North Korea’s official line that the United States is an evil adversary.

(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: northkorea; soldier; wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Can he play women’s basketball ?


21 posted on 08/24/2023 8:19:51 AM PDT by al baby (Sarcasm )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Most likely she wasn’t there to graduate. She was only there for the government paycheck. Probably one of those “da judge gave me a choice. Join the Army or go to prison for life” creeps.


22 posted on 08/24/2023 8:22:54 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer ("Say anything you like. Just don't say anything you don't like." - Old communist proverb.)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

There were two other young women (we were all teens to young adults) who were there because they had the choice of The Military or Prison. One had 20+ tattoos and was an accessory to murder when her Biker Boyfriend killed a cop. She washed out.

I forget what the other one’s crimes were, but they couldn’t have been minor offenses.

The people that make up this world can be down right terrifying!


23 posted on 08/24/2023 8:31:19 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

The Army forced me onto drill sergeant status during my enlisted years. Ended up with many trainees who made me want to kick some recruiter butt. Being a former E-7 drill got me into flight school though so it was worth it.


24 posted on 08/24/2023 8:35:38 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer ("Say anything you like. Just don't say anything you don't like." - Old communist proverb.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

he thinks he’s gonna get better treatment in Korea than the USA? LOL. Let him stay there.


25 posted on 08/24/2023 8:44:42 AM PDT by ronniesgal (The bidens are actually more white trashy than the Clintons, and that's sayin' something)
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To: ronniesgal

What does his Father say about this situation?


26 posted on 08/24/2023 8:48:29 AM PDT by Colt1851Navy (What was wrong with Nixon?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

i had a whole slew of boys in my high school class join the Marines instead of pulling the Go To Jail card. 1975.
(idiots all)


27 posted on 08/24/2023 8:49:21 AM PDT by ronniesgal (The bidens are actually more white trashy than the Clintons, and that's sayin' something)
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To: ronniesgal

28 posted on 08/24/2023 9:19:30 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("If you can’t say something nice . . . say the Rosary." [Red Badger])
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To: Colt1851Navy

that’s funny right there!


29 posted on 08/24/2023 10:23:39 AM PDT by ronniesgal (The bidens are actually more white trashy than the Clintons, and that's sayin' something)
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To: EEGator

ONLY video I saw had him complaining about “RACISM”.

IF he got raised in Milwaukee-—RACISM isn’t a new concept.


30 posted on 08/24/2023 1:38:38 PM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: Colt1851Navy

SURELY YOU JEST———


31 posted on 08/24/2023 1:41:27 PM PDT by ridesthemiles
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