Kirby: No indications North Korea is making use of Travis King as publicity or negotiating chip however would certainly ‘not be out of character’

CNN
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National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated Thursday that it “would not be out of character” for North Korea to utilize United States soldier Travis King as a publicity device or negotiating chip.

“They certainly could. … We haven’t seen any indication that that’s exactly what’s afoot here, but certainly would not be out of character for them,” Kirby informed CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead.” “What we’re focused on is trying to make sure we can get information about him.”

Kirby included that King’s place is uncertain, in addition to “the conditions he’s being held” and also info concerning his health and wellness.

“We have made it clear to the North Koreans through various channels that we want to know those things and we want him back,” Kirby stated. “We want to get him back safely, but unfortunately, we don’t know exactly where they have him or what they plan on doing with him.”

“We have made it clear to the North Koreans through various channels that we want to know those things and we want him back,” Kirby stated. “We want to get him back safely, but unfortunately, we don’t know exactly where they have him or what they plan on doing with him.”

Kirby additionally reacted to objection from the household ofLt Ridge Alkonis, that is apprehended in a Japanese jail and also whose household has actually slammed the management for not striving sufficient to protect his launch. Kirby stated that the United States has, and also proceeds, to “routinely” discussAlkonis However, he would certainly not state whether President Joe Biden would certainly increase the situation Friday when he meets Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida atCamp David

“We are still working this out with the Japanese to see what’s the realm of the possible here to make sure rule of law is respected, but that we make our concerns clear,” he stated.

Kirby additionally protected the management’s job to protect the launch of Paul Whelan and also Evan Gershkovich, that the United States has actually assigned as incorrectly apprehended in Russia, informing Tapper that while he wanted he can state “that we’ve got a deal in hand and that the Russians have agreed to it, that’s not the case.”

“That’s not for lack of trying, and it’s not like we haven’t put proposals on the table to try to get Mr. Whelan and, quite frankly, Mr. Gershgovich back home to their families,” he included. “But we just don’t have anything to report out right now.”