All very true, but also all not without precedent, like James Dresnok. Granted, that was before the days of people going on anti-DPRK propaganda book tours, which is a very real risk like you pointed out. He would definitely be under an immense amount of scrutiny, as he should.

There is a chance, depending on how long he was stationed in SK (I didn't find that detail at first blance) that he may have learned at least some nominal Korean while there. I would wager not a lot, given my experience with US military in my own country, but it's a foundation at least.

I do hope that if he is sincere he can live a full life there. I spent some time there, and while I was not planning to live there longterm there are definitely some opportunities for foreigners. It's honestly probably even more comfortable now than the days of the Korean War deserters, there are a lot more modern amenities that westerners may expect. No iPhones, but most people do have smart phones and access to the Kwangmyon intranet, for example. Is that enough for him? I have no idea.

I meant to highlight the overemphasis placed on the word itself, detained. They hype it up as if it's the most monentous part of this incident and use it consistently throughout the article. This is not evil North Korea detaining another poor Amerikan, this is another Amerikan soldier defecting to the DPRK.

I agree, begrudgingly, with your pragmatic outlook here. The transatlantic empire is weak. There is a part of me that believes it is the time to strike, to disobey. The socialist world is turning left, and I believe this may lend itself an opportunity for the DPRK to further demonstrate its status as a sovereign state not beholden to unilateral U.S. demands, as well as its adherence to their purportedly internationalist ethos.

This is all based on the presupposition that Travis King is being genuine, of course.

As for what he offers - at least one noteworthy thing is that he presumably speaks English fluenty. He can always learn Korean. There is a precedent of Amerikan soldiers being granted asylum in the DPRK, and at worst it could be an image thing -- the imperialist dog barks and the socialist world muzzles it.

I do not govern the DPRK, and wager that whatever decision the WPK and thusly the workers decide to make will be the best one that could have been made.

They have touchscreen phones in the DPRK, at least. They're not that far behind. But some are vain and miss shit like name brands, I guess. I do not presume to think this Travis King thinks that way, and if he witnesses equality of peoples in the DPRK then that may yet be inspiring enough for him to get over the culture shock. That'd be neat.

I can see the argument for extradition, but it's only a pyrrhic understanding.

I do not believe socialist nations should extradite black asylum seekers to a white supremacist settler state, personally. May be idealist, but oh well.

I agree. It's mainly a huge liability for DPRK. It would probably be best for them to transfer him to a third country, but I doubt the US would make that easy.

yea i meant the soldier. fuck Japan.

It's pretty clear that "they" refers to the US soldier who defected to the DPRK, Travis King...