The Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) have announced and confirmed that missing 17-year-old Kim is currently training under the violent, terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). 

SEE ALSO: Missing 17-year-old Korean student believed to have joined ISIS + authorities tracking his whereabouts

Back on January 10, Kim went missing after traveling to Turkey with his pastor Hong. Kim and Hong stayed at a hotel located in Kilis, a city near the border of Syria. On January 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they believed Kim had crossed the border into Syria in order to join ISIS. Further investigation into Kim's Twitter, Facebook, email, and cell phone revealed that Kim was in contact with an ISIS member Hassan and that they had a plan to meet. 

On February 24, NIS chairman Lee Byung Ki stated, "Kim has gone to ISIS; although we haven't confirmed his location, we know that he is receiving training." 

Another NIS representative stated, "Through an insider, the NIS relayed the message to ISIS: 'We request that you return Kim to his parents,' but that didn't go so well." They continued, "It is correct that Kim went from Turkey to Syria to join ISIS. We are cooperating with a close ally to find his exact location."