Officials from the United States Army and the White House have expressed deep concern over well-being of the US soldier who fled to North Korea earlier this week.
US Private Travis King had completed his deployment in South Korea as well as a prison sentence in South Korea for assault and should have returned to the United States, but escaped from the airport to join a private tour of the border.
According to Pentagon spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, King broke away from the tour group and crossed the demilitarized zone into North Korea.
North Korea is yet to react to the US queries about the AWOL soldier.
US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth however said Washington was fully mobilized in trying to contact Pyongyang, including through United Nations communications channels.
