The mother of an American soldier detained in North Korea after crossing the DMZ during a tour has a heartfelt plea for her son’s captors: “I just want to hear his voice.” Claudine Gates reveals her concerns about her son, U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King, who has been inside the reclusive country for over two weeks since the July 18 incident.
Cryptic Messages and YouTube Links

Gates and her brother, Myron, disclosed that leading up to his disappearance, King had left them cryptic messages through phone and text, along with YouTube links to songs they believe contained coded messages.
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Distressing Phone Call
One night, Gates received a distressing phone call from King in which he exclaimed, “I’m not the Army soldier you want me to be,” before abruptly hanging up.
Uncertainty and Concern
Gates expressed how her son’s behavior had changed over time, from being happy and sending pictures while in Korea to gradually withdrawing communication.
UN in Contact with North Korea
The Pentagon confirmed that the United Nations has been in contact with North Korea regarding King’s detention. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated that the United Nations Command (UNC) had communicated with North Korea through established channels, but there was no significant progress to report.
The Incident
According to a U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson, King, on a joint security area orientation tour, deliberately and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Anxiety and Waiting
Travis King’s family, along with many others, anxiously await any updates on his well-being and safety. The situation remains tense, and his mother hopes to hear from him soon.
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