The North Korean village of Gijongdong seen from a South Korean observation post inside the DMZ.
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A U.S. citizen could be detained by North Korea after crossing the inter-Korean border without authorization, The United Nations Command said on Twitter Tuesday.
The individual was visiting the Joint Security Area, a site in Panmunjom, the demilitarized zone, used by North and South Korea for diplomatic contacts and negotiations. It is bisected by the Military Demarcation Line, also known as the Armistice Line, which delineates the border between the two territories.
“A U.S. national crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) without authorization during an introduction trip to the Joint Security Area. We believe he is currently in North Korean custody and are working with our Korean People’s Army counterparts to resolve the incident ,” the U.N. Command said.
The U.N. command did not disclose the identity or motive of the U.S. citizen. A U.S. official familiar with the situation told NBC News the person is believed to be a U.S. soldier.
When reached by NBC News, a White House spokesman was not immediately available.
Both private companies and the United Nations organize visits to the joint security area.
The United States and North Korea currently do not have formal diplomatic relations.U.S. travel advisory notes urge U.S. nationals no travel to north korea “Due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and prolonged detention.”
The incident came on the same day that a US nuclear submarine arrived at the port of Busan on its first visit to South Korea since the 1980s. According to U.S. Forces Korea.