Travis King crossed the border earlier this week (Image: GETTY/WSN 12 News)
The US soldier who crossed into North Korea was “breaking down” following the death of his seven-year-old cousin, a family member has claimed.
Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, travelled into North Korea after joining a Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) border tour.
His uncle, Carl Gates, said he was one of the last people to communicate with King before he entered the DMZ.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, Gates said: “His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son.
“And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot.
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The DMZ is rarely crossed (Image: GETTY)
"Because he couldn’t be here. He was in the army, overseas."
Mr Gates’ son, King’Nazir, died in February from the extremely rare genetic disorder SPTLC 2, and was one of very few children in the world to be diagnosed with the condition.
Mr Gates said: "When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away… Travis started reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die. I know it was related to what he did."
The father added that King “loved and cherished” his late son and that he was very concerned for the family’s welfare following the death.
A senior US commander said there had been no contact with the soldier (Image: GETTY)
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Gates said: "Picture yourself being in the army and your baby cousin from your favourite, my only child, he’s struggling and going through pain.
"And he’s crying like a baby, and now you’re in the service and you can’t do nothing about it. And then you’re crying like a baby.
"The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this s**t."
The US military has confirmed King, who has been in the army since January 2021, is being held in North Korea after crossing the border from South Korea without authorisation.
King, from Racine, Wisconsin, was facing disciplinary action after being held on assault charges in South Korea, according to Associated Press.
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A week prior to the crossing he was released to US army base Camp Humphreys for out-processing.
He was due to travel to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was to be administratively separated from the army, according to a US defence official.
A senior US commander said that there has been no contact with the missing soldier so far.
There has been no statement from North Korea regarding King's whereabouts or welfare.
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