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A U.S. Army soldier is believed to be in custody in North Korea after he
"willfully and without authorization" crossed into the country from South Korea.

In a tweet on Tuesday, U.N. Command, which provides support to the Republic of
Korea, said a U.S. national on an "orientation tour" of the Joint Security Area
had crossed into North Korea "without authorization."



The Joint Security Area refers to a location used for diplomatic relations
between North and South Korea.

"A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the
Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK)," U.N. Command wrote on Tuesday. The Military Demarcation Line is
considered the border between territory controlled by Pyongyang and that under
Seoul's jurisdiction.

In a Korean-language version of the message, U.N. Command said the U.S. national
had "defected to North Korea," according to an English translation.

"We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA
counterparts to resolve this incident," U.N. Command wrote.

The person involved is a U.S. Army soldier, a U.S. Defense Department
spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek. He "willfully and without authorization"
crossed the Military Demarcation Line, the spokesperson said, adding the U.S.
also believes he is in North Korean custody.

The spokesperson declined to provide additional details.

A U.S. official told CBS News that the soldier was being escorted back to U.S.
soil for disciplinary reasons, but had rejoined a tour at the border after
passing through airport security.



An eyewitness told the outlet that they had been part of the same tour group
visiting the Military Demarcation Line, but that after visiting a building in
the area, "this man gives out a loud 'ha ha ha,' and just runs in between some
buildings."

Newsweek has also reached out to the White House and the South Korean defense
and foreign ministries for comment via email.




Tensions between North and South Korea have flared in recent months, spurred on
by Pyongyang's anger over U.S. military collaboration with Seoul. In a
provocative statement earlier this month, North Korea's defense ministry said
the U.S. sending a nuclear submarine to the Korean peninsula had created a "very
dangerous situation," bringing the region "closer to the threshold of nuclear
conflict."



The U.S. State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to North Korea
"due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S.
nationals," describing this as a "critical threat."

News of the U.S. national's detention coincides with the arrival of the U.S.
Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, the USS Kentucky, in the South
Korean port of Busan.

The arrival of the submarine "reflects US' ironclad commitment to the ROK for
our extended deterrence guarantee," U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement,
referring to South Korea as the Republic of Korea.

In mid-June, another Ohio-class vessel, the USS Michigan guided-missile
submarine, stopped in Busan for a scheduled port visit.

Update 07/18/23, 7:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional
information.

Update 07/18/23, 10:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a Pentagon
statement.

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MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Harold Tekel, a 91-year-old former US Marine, died on
Wednesday after plunging from the 17th floor of his luxury apartment building in
Manhattan, which overlooks Central Park. He landed on the sidewalk of the
Seventh Avenue side of the building, and was pronounced dead at the spot, police
said.

Tekel, who served as a lieutenant in the Marines, lived in the 35-story
residential building, 200 Central Park South, with his wife Rochelle, 88. They
had three daughters, Terry Grossman, who confirmed his identity to Daily Mail on
Wednesday afternoon, and two others.




WHO IS HAROLD TEKEL?



Terry, who as per the publication often posted tributes about her parents on
Facebook, described Tekel as "always compassionate, optimistic and always kind
with an incredible sense of the humorous." She also said he was proud of his
service in the military and shared a picture of him on Veterans Day. "I am
thinking of my dad on Veterans Day and the pride he and all who have served,
share to this day. Love you Dad," she wrote once in 2022 as per the publication.



Police said they don't suspect foul play in Tekel's death, but a neighbor
claimed the senior had attempted "something similar" a couple of weeks ago. "He
tried to do this before," the neighbor told The New York Post on Wednesday
morning.

"Yes, we're incredibly sad," Terry said confirming his death. Terry said she was
still at the hospital with her mother as they dealt with the tragedy on
Wednesday afternoon. Tekel's death shocked the residents of 200 Central Park
South, which has been built in 1963. It is reportedly one of the most desired
residences in Manhattan, which has a rooftop observatory and impressive views of
the park and the city skyline. Some apartments in the building are on the market
for more than $11 million. The building also has notable former residents, such
as actresses Raquel Welch and Doris Roberts.




TEKEL'S DEATH WAS THE SECOND ONE IN THE AREA WITHIN HOURS

Tekel's death was the second one in the area within hours. Just hours earlier,
the publication reported, another man jumped to his death from the sixth floor
of a nearby building, according to police. The 66-year-old, who was not publicly
identified, jumped from 160 West End Avenue shortly after 4:30 am and died at St
Luke's Hospital, police said.






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