A TV screen shows a file image of US soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Sept 27, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

SEOUL - Private Travis King, the US soldier who ran into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in July, has been expelled by the country and is heading home to the United States.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday said the DPRK has decided to expel the US soldier over an illegal crossing into the country, but without specifying a destination.

On July 18, the army private based in the Republic of Korea (ROK) illegally intruded into the DPRK after blending in with tourists to the Joint Security Area of Panmunjom, a demilitarized zone on the Korean peninsula, KCNA said in a previous report

The Associated Press, citing two US officials, reported on the same day that King is in US custody. He was expected to return to the US later on Wednesday, according to the US State Department.

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The US soldier has confessed he illegally intruded into the country as he harbored ill feelings toward inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US army and was disillusioned about the inequality of US society, said KCNA, citing an investigation by DPRK authorities.

On July 18, the army private based in the Republic of Korea (ROK) illegally intruded into the DPRK after blending in with tourists to the Joint Security Area of Panmunjom, a demilitarized zone on the Korean peninsula, KCNA said in a previous report.

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According to the report, King was subsequently taken into custody and expressed his willingness to seek refuge in the DPRK or a third country.