U.S. military personnel did not accompany Travis King after he completed immigration checks at a South Korean airport earlier this week, enabling the American soldier to flee custody and later cross into North Korea at the Joint Security Area (JSA).

Incheon International Airport confirmed to NK News on Thursday that U.S. Army personnel only escorted the 23-year-old private “before the security process,” stating that King would have been free to leave the duty-free area at any time.

King was charged with assault and property damage during his deployment in South Korea, and media have reportedthat he was scheduled to