Travis King's family opens up about U.S. soldier in North Korean custody after "willfully" crossing DMZ

Private 2nd Class Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea "willfully and without authorization" on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials, made his move right as he was to be transferred back to the U.S. and dismissed from the military.

U.S. officials said Tuesday that King, 23, was believed to be in the custody of North Korean forces. North Korea's government has not said anything about King since he was apparently detained. 

What motivated the American soldier to run across the border into an isolated, authoritarian country considered one of the biggest threats to peace on the globe remains unclear, but below is what we know so far from statements made by military officials, witnesses and King's family members in the U.S.