King.

This is coolbert:

More on Travis King. The American soldier who crossed the border into North Korea.

1."After North Korea Response, Expert Says Army Pvt. Travis King's Future Is Likely Political Pawn"

From Military.com | By Konstantin Toropin | 16 Aug 2023.

"North Korea's acknowledgment Tuesday that it is holding runaway Army Pvt. Travis King has raised fresh questions about the unusual case, but experts say the reclusive regime's statement suggests the young soldier is proving to be a poor hostage."

2. "North Korea Asserts US Soldier Travis King Crossed Border After Becoming Disillusioned With America"

https://www.military.com | 17 Aug 2023.

"North Korea asserted Wednesday that a U.S. soldier who bolted across the heavily armed Korean border last month did so after becoming disillusioned with the inequality of American society and racial discrimination in its Army. (Aug. 16) AP"

Travis having just been released from having spent three months in a South Korean [ROK] prison for disorderly behavior was on the verge of being returned to the USA. His prospects not good. More than likely was going to be tried under military law, given a sentence in the stockade and given a dishonorable discharge.

His decision to cross the border [I am wary of calling this a defection] based hardly on inequality and discrimination.

coolbert.