US soldier intentionally crossed North Korean border - BBC News

North Korea has detained a serving US army soldier who crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea without permission.

Travis King, 23, was on an organised tour of the UN-run zone dividing the two countries.

Officials in Seoul have confirmed that King, a Private 2nd Class, recently spent two months in prison in South Korea previously for assault charges.

He was then released from prison on 10 July and escorted to the airport for a US-bound flight.

According to reports, he was able to leave the terminal and get a tour of the border, from where he crossed over into North Korea.