 was put in place in the aftermath of the Korean War, which ended in 1953. The border is known as one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world. In a statement, the United Nations Command said: "A US National on a JSA (joint security area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident." An announcement on the incident is expected later today. Here's everything we know so far... US officials have not confirmed the identity of the soldier known to have crossed the border into North Korea. Multiple reports in South Korea name the male US soldier as Travis King, however, and say he crossed the border without permission at 3.27pm local time. King is said to hold the rank of private second class. The Mirror has approached the Department of Defence for comment. A spokesman for the US military in South Korea, Colonel Isaac Taylor, said: "We're still doing some research into this, and everything that happened." Speculation over a possible defection remains, but it is not clear why. A defence official told CNN there was no indication the soldier was planning to defect. An official also told CBS News the alleged defector managed to join the border tour after somehow managing to return through airport security. A witness tol){kind=link}
Travis King is the reported name of a US Army soldier who crossed the border into communist North Korea. He is said to have laughed as he ran away from a civilian tour
A US Army soldier is reported to have voluntarily crossed the border into North Korea.
The highly unusual move is being investigated as a possible defection – amid claims the soldier was laughing when he ran over the border.
The US and North Korea have poor relations and the communist regime is known as a rogue state at odds with the West for most of its history.
The demilitarised zone (DMZ) was put in place in the aftermath of the Korean War, which ended in 1953. The border is known as one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world.