U.S. soldier Travis King is back in American detention after North Korea threatened to eject him.

In a public tour of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea on July 18, King, 23, slipped the tightly guarded border.

“U.S. officials returned Private Travis King from DPRK,” stated Defense Department press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder. U.S., Swedish, and Chinese soldiers “bring Private King home,” he stated.

Two military sources informed NBC News that King will stay overnight at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio following the South Korean trip.

They said they would provide PISA, which helps prisoners of war and unfairly imprisoned Americans reintegrate and manage trauma and post-traumatic stress.

King, 23, fled the highly protected Demilitarized Zone on July 18 during a public tour.

KCNA claimed King “illegally intruded” into North Korea because “he was disillusioned about inhumane treatment and racial discrimination” in the Army and “inequality existing within the American Society.

US has not replied to accusations.

Jonathan Franks said that King’s mother, Claudine Gates, told Andrea Mitchell on NBC News that she was “overjoyed” to hear from her son.

“She’s been on pins and needles these 71 days,” Franks said, adding that Gates was “extremely grateful” to the Army, NSC, and White House interagency partners.

Despite not knowing why her son was released, “they were able to connect on the phone, and she relayed that he was in good spirits and she was thrilled.”

Caller asked, “Hey, how are you?” I love you. He cautioned avoiding asking many questions or seeking information.

King was transported by the military to Incheon International Airport in Seoul after being freed from a South Korean jail to face U.S. disciplinary action before crossing the border.

A senior administration official said King was taken to the airport for violating the joint security agreement.

The officer claimed King joined a commercial tour group for the UN-administered North-South Joint Security Area.

A Wednesday Army official said the chain of command will examine King’s status “at a later time.”

“The Army’s focus right now is the soldier’s well-being and privacy,” Bryce Dubee said.

King’s detention comes amid rising tensions between the isolated communist state, its southern neighbor, and the U.S.

Kim Jong Un visited with Putin abroad as Pyongyang increased nuclear threats and weapons testing.

Western fears that Kim may arm the Kremlin to invade Ukraine in return for military technology or economic help to avoid sanctions have intensified.

North Korea announced King’s detention for U.S. criticism in August after weeks of silence.

King’s mother, Gates, denied the Army disapproved of his defection.

I can’t see him staying in Korea with American family. AP quoted Racine resident Gates: “He has so many reasons to come home.”