China Says Aided In Release Of Us Soldier Detained In North Korea

China revealed on Thursday that it had offered "humanitarian" assistance in the recent liberation of 23-year-old US soldier Travis King, who had been held captive in North Korea since July after crossing the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea. After an arduous three-month captivity, King managed to cross into Chinese territory with the assistance of Swedish diplomats. On Wednesday, he was handed over to the US ambassador and a senior military officer before being flown to a US military base. China, North Korea's long-standing treaty ally and principal economic supporter, confirmed its involvement in the operation, marking a rare instance of collaboration between the United States and China. "At the request of the North Korean and US sides, China has provided necessary assistance from a humanitarian perspective," stated Mao Ning, the foreign ministry spokeswoman. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed gratitude toward China for facilitating King's transit, acknowledging the significance of China's role in securing the soldier's release. However, it is noteworthy that China's assistance did not involve mediation with North Korea, and the United States did not make any concessions to Pyongyang in exchange for King's freedom. A senior US administration official emphasized that there were no concessions "full stop." King's release stands as a testament to the potential for diplomatic collaboration between nations with complex relationships, shedding light on the dynamics of international diplomacy in a region marked by historical tensions and political intricacies.