North Korea has concluded that US soldier Travis King wants refuge there or elsewhere because of "inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination" in the US and the military, state media reports.
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It was the North's first public acknowledgement of the army private's crossing from South Korea on July 18 while on a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) on the heavily fortified border between the neighbours.
US officials have said they believe King crossed the border intentionally, and have declined so far to classify him as a prisoner of war.
North Korean investigators have also concluded that King crossed deliberately and illegally, with the intent to stay in the North or in a third country, state news agency KCNA said.
"During the investigation, Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK as he harbored ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army," KCNA said, using the North's official name.
"He also expressed his willingness to seek refugee in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society."
King was "kept under control by soldiers of the Korean People's Army" after his crossing and the investigation was still active, the agency added.
In August, King's uncle, Myron Gates, told ABC News that his nephew, who is Black, was experiencing racism during his military deployment, and that after he spent time in a South Korean jail, he did not sound like himself.
US officials have said the North had not provided substantive responses to requests for information on King.
The Pentagon said it could not verify King's comments as reported by KCNA, and remains focused on his safe return. It did not address whether it had heard more details from North Korea.
King's mother is concerned about his safety and appealed to North Korea to treat him humanely, a spokesperson for his family said.
"Ms Gates is aware of today's 'report' from KCNA," the spokesperson, Jonathan Franks said in a statement, referring to King's mother.
"DPRK authorities are responsible for Travis King's well-being, and she continues to appeal to them to treat him humanely"
It added that King's mother had been in touch with the Army and appreciated a statement by the defence department that it remained focused on bringing him home.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A spokesman for the United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the border village where King crossed, said he did not have anything to add to previous statements.
"Mentioning King's willingness to seek refuge in North Korea or a third country shows that it's still unclear where he wants to go," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
King's border crossing came amid heightened animosities on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has conducted more than 100 weapons tests since the beginning of last year, prompting the US to expand its military drills with South Korea. North Korea views US-South Korean military training as an invasion rehearsal.
King was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.
with AP
Australian Associated Press
