JABAR EKSPRES – The United States is still working to repatriate Travis King, the US soldier who broke into North Korea in July, according to a White House official – the US president’s office – on Wednesday (8/16).

Earlier in the day, North Korea stated that the US soldier wanted to seek asylum in North Korea or another country.

US National Security Council (NSC) strategic communications coordinator John Kirby insisted that North Korea’s statements cannot be trusted.

“I think anything that comes out of Pyongyang should be questioned,” the NSC official said during a press conference, organized by Washington’s Foreign Press Center.

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Travis King crossed the military perimeter into North Korea during a group tour of the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone on July 18.

“We tend not to put much faith in statements coming out of Pyongyang,” Kirby said. He was referring to the North’s seat of government in the country’s capital, Pyongyang.

Kirby emphasized that the US still wants to know where Travis King is, as well as the condition of the soldier.

“… because obviously we fear the worst, and unfortunately we have every reason to be concerned about his safety,” he said.

Kirby said the US has made it clear to North Korea through various channels that it wants King back in the US.

“But we don’t have a lot of information at this point about where he is or what his condition is,” Kirby said.

“It would be irresponsible of us to believe anything that comes out of Pyongyang.”