North Korea says US soldier Travis King fled over racism in army

North Korea has said US soldier Travis King crossed into its territory last month because of "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination" in the army.

The 23-year-old private dashed across the border from South Korea on 18 July while on a guided tour.

Private King admitted to crossing illegally and wanted refuge in the North, state news agency KCNA reported.

Washington said it could not verify the claims, which are Pyongyang's first public comments on the case.