In North Korea's first comments on last month's crossing of Travis King, state media said that the soldier, who is Black, fled "racial discrimination" and had "ill feeling" toward the US Army.

A State Department spokesperson said the US government "can't verify the comments attributed to Private King."

"We remain focused on his safe return," the spokesperson said.

"The Department's priority is to bring Private King home, and we are working through all available channels to achieve that outcome."

The United States has previously said that King crossed the border at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone separating the North and the South "willfully and without authorization."

North Korean propaganda often highlights racism in the United States.

King had been held by South Korean authorities over assault and was set to be returned to the United States, where he could have faced military discipline.