SEOUL, Aug 16 (Reuters) - North Korea concluded that Travis King wants refuge there or in another country because of “inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” in the U.S. and the military, state media said on Wednesday, Pyongyang’s first public acknowledgement of King’s crossing from South Korea on July 18.
Honestly if they can parade him about to show off the evils of America, he might be treated pretty well. (At least until they decided he’s no longer useful)
The soldier who defected before was treated reasonably well, got better rations than the average citizen for example, he was still desperate to leave.
The living conditions there are bad but the lack of freedom is also a big issue.