According to reports, a US soldier is currently being held in North Korea after crossing the border without authorization.

The man was being escorted back to the United States for disciplinary reasons when, surprisingly, he turned around at the airport and joined a border tour, according to an official quoted.

The US soldier was allegedly identified as Travis King, who is said to have intentionally crossed into North Korea. Authorities are in the process of confirming his identity and notifying his family about his detention.

A witness who was part of the same tour group recounted that the soldier laughed before running towards North Korea. "At first, I thought it was a bad joke, but when he didn't come back, I realized it wasn't a joke," the witness said.

US officials revealed that the soldier in question is Private Second Class Travis King, who had previously been mentioned in South Korean media.

The United Nations Command, responsible for operating the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, has stated that they are working with their counterparts in the Korean People's Army (KPA) to resolve this incident.

So far, no further details have been provided about the circumstances that led the soldier to cross the border without authorization or about the actions that will be taken to ensure his safe return to the United States.