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North Korea is reported to have detained a serving US army soldier who crossed the heavily-fortified border from South Korea without permission.

The crisis comes during a particularly tense time with the north, one of the world's most isolated states. US citizens are advised not to go there.

It's unclear if the man has defected to North Korea or hopes to return. There has been no word yet from authorities in the north.

Greg Scarlatoiu from the Committee on Human Rights in North Korea talked Newshour's Paul Henley through the historical precedents that have faced US defectors to North Korea.

(Photo shows a North Korean guard post, seen from the de-militarised zone between North and South Korea)