Korean netizens were left bewildered and speechless as the American soldier who crossed into North Korea revealed that he chose to do so willingly due to racism in the United States.

North Korea has officially stated that Private Travis King, a U.S. soldier who defected to North Korea, expressed his intention to seek asylum within the country. 

On August 16, the Korean Central News Agency of North Korea released a report titled 'Results of Interim Investigation into Travis King, a U.S. Soldier', detailing the situation surrounding Private King's actions. 

According to the report, on the 18th of the previous month, Private King intentionally crossed into North Korean territory while on a tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA), breaching the boundary between the ROK-US military contact room and the police officer's rest area along the Military Demarcation Line.

The news agency elaborated, stating, "Based on our investigation, Private King admitted to illegally entering the Republic's territory. Furthermore, he confessed that he decided to defect to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) due to his strong aversion to the inhuman abuse and racial discrimination prevalent within the US military."

Responding to North Korea's claims, the Pentagon addressed the situation, highlighting its focus on ensuring Private King's safety and return. A spokesperson from the Pentagon stated to Reuters, "Our primary objective is to bring Private King back safely. We are actively pursuing all available channels of communication."

After hearing the news update on Travis King, Korean netizens couldn't help but become baffled. They commented, "Yeah right inequality. He caused trouble and ran away in the process of being transferred to the U.S.," "Yes, go there and feel all the equality fully...see how equal that society is..." "Isn't he the soldier that assaulted a Korean while drinking?" "Sure, live well in North Korea with human rights guaranteed equally~" "North Korea is more unequal, is he dumb?" "I'm sure North Korea is equal," and "We have to surely filter out North Korea's claims. I think Travis is probably spilling out tears and boogers, crying like crazy, asking to be saved."