US soldier Travis King’s mother Claudine Gates says his ‘life is in danger’ in North Korea as his whereabouts remain unknown since he ran across the border

The mother of a US soldier detained in North Korea after sprinting across the border spoke out for the first time in weeks, saying her son’s life is “at risk” as his whereabouts remain a mystery.

Claudine Gates, the mother of 23-year-old soldier Travis King, told ABC on Wednesday that her life has turned into a “big nightmare” since her son sprinted into the reclusive country and has not been heard from since.

“Travis wouldn’t just cross the border. He’s the type of boy he’d like to see at home,’ she said. “He knew that just crossing the line was actually committing suicide.”

Private King, 23, sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while touring the border demilitarized zone (DMZ) and was immediately taken into custody, leaving the US in a new diplomatic dilemma with nuclear-armed North Korea. He was recently released from a South Korean prison and had to report to America when he apparently defected.

Gates said he had a hard time before his disappearance, but refused to believe her son would voluntarily cross the border.

King sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while touring the border demilitarized zone (DMZ) and was immediately taken into custody

His mother spoke out for the first time in weeks, saying her son’s life is ‘at risk’ as his whereabouts remain a mystery

North Korea confirmed on Wednesday that it is detaining Travis King in its first confirmation of the soldier’s condition, the UN command said.

The UN command said it would not provide more details on Pyongyang’s response at this time. His exact location in North Korea and his current state of health have not been released.

King, who served in South Korea, spent 47 days in a South Korean prison after an altercation with locals at a bar, and was released in June. He was expected to board a plane back to Texas, but fled. He later joined a group of tourists before sprinting across the border.

The family denied that King was drunk at the bar leading to his initial arrest – saying King did not drink and often secluded himself at family events where alcohol was served.

They said King began leaving cryptic messages by phone and text in South Korea.

He reportedly sent links to numbers that served as coded messages to explain how he was not in a good place. The reports worried his family about his well-being and aroused suspicion.

They said his odd communication made them think they were talking to a completely different person or that King was in serious trouble.

His mother recalled one night she was awakened by a disturbing call from her son who repeatedly yelled into the phone, “I’m not the army soldier you want me to be,” before hanging up.

Claudine said she has been unable to function properly since her son’s imprisonment.

“I can’t function, I can’t think straight,” she said. “Once it’s night, I start to worry more because I don’t know what they’re doing to him.”

King (wearing a black shirt and black cap) can be seen in this photo taken while touring the tightly controlled Joint Security Area on the border between the two Koreas shortly before encountering North Korea

King spent 47 days in a South Korean jail after an altercation with locals at a bar, and was released in June

King was taken into custody Wednesday in his initial response to requests for information on the US soldier’s whereabouts

His family doesn’t understand why King would want to cross the North Korean border voluntarily.

“That’s not Travis,” his mother said. “Travis wouldn’t just cross the border. He’s the type of boy who would like to go home.’

King also said he experienced racism abroad and told his family, “They’re trying to kill me.”

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said North Korea had merely acknowledged the UN command’s request for information on King and stopped providing detailed information about him.

“I can confirm that the DPRK has responded to the United Nations order, but I have no substantial progress to read,” Ryder said at a news conference, using the abbreviation of North Korea’s official name, Democratic Republic of the Congo. People’s Republic of Korea.

While it’s a promising sign that North Korea has finally responded, it’s unclear how long the “investigation” may take.