American Citizen in North Korean Custody After Crossing the DMZ ‘Was a Soldier’: Report

An American citizen crossed into North Korea while touring a section of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, and is believed to have been detained by communist officials, the United Nations Command said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The incident first was reported as involving an American citizen. The man “was a soldier,” according to an updated report from the Associated Press. The report did not clarify whether the man currently serves the U.S. military, or if he previously served.

“A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the UNC wrote. “We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.”

A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident. pic.twitter.com/a6amvnJTuY

— United Nations Command 유엔군사령부/유엔사 (@UN_Command) July 18, 2023

The orientation tour to the Joint Security Area, which is located inside the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea, is open to the general public.

The UNC did not identify the man, and gave no further details.

The last known person to have crossed the border was shot and killed on the spot in 2020, according to reports at the time from South Korea.