Photo: Getty Images
UPDATE:
The United States national detained in North Korea has been identified as Travis King, a U.S. Army soldier with the rank of private second class, according to the Dong-a Ilbo Daily, a South Korean newspaper which later redacted his name.
Two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity confirmed King's identity and said he was due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military prior to his detainment. Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesperson for the U.S. Armed Force in Korea, confirmed that an American soldier "wilfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)" on Tuesday (July 18).
----
A United States national reported to be in North Korean custody is believed to be an American soldier, a U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told NBC News on Tuesday (July 18).
The American was reported to have crossed the border from South Korea amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea over the current state of the country's nuclear program. U.S. officials said they were continuing to gather information in what was described as a "fluid" incident.
The American-led United Nations Command had previously confirmed that a U.S. national had "crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" while on an orientation tour of the joint security area located in the zone between North Korea and South Korea.
"We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," the UN Command Twitter account wrote.
The United Nations holds tours of the area for staff members while visitors have also had access to tours organized by private companies since the 1960s. The reported detainment took place after the USS Kentucky, a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the Busan naval base in South Korea on Tuesday.
"This port visit to Busan reflects the United States’ ironclad commitment to the Republic of Korea for our extended deterrence guarantee," U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement obtained by NBC News.