Today is the first class in our new four class set. The start time for our class will be 10:30am. We will begin class with a casual conversation. Our reading today is about panda diplomacy. Our listening material is about Travis King. I have included a transcript. We will finish class with a review of our grammar unit .

Click HERE for the reading

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

The U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea a couple of months ago is back in U.S. custody and on his way home. North Korea expelled Private Travis King. The Biden administration says it took some intense diplomacy to get him back, but they say they made no concessions. NPR's Michele Kelemen has our report.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: Diplomats say they used whatever channels they had to get messages to North Korea about Travis King. They worked through U.N. channels and got help from Sweden, which represents U.S. interests in Pyongyang. China played a role, too. He was handed over to U.S. diplomats in China before heading home. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says it was only in recent days that the U.S. got word that North Korea would deport him.

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MATTHEW MILLER: We did not give them anything. We made no concessions as a part of securing his return.

KELEMEN: In fact, he says North Korea didn't even talk directly to the U.S. about this case, though he says U.S. diplomats did try.

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MILLER: They rejected our direct approaches and ended up talking to Sweden, and Sweden talked to us and helped negotiate this transfer. But I would not see this as the sign of some breakthrough. I think it's a one-off with them being willing to return this private.

KELEMEN: North Korea's state-run news agency said that authorities completed their investigation into Private Travis King and said he admitted that he crossed into the country illegally. The report goes on to say that King, who's African American, was, quote, "disillusioned about racial discrimination at home." U.S. officials say he's in good health and good spirits. Jonathan Franks is a spokesman for King's mother, Claudine Gates, and says she's grateful to the U.S. Army and other interagency partners for a job well done.

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JONATHAN FRANKS: I can confirm that they spoke and Ms. Gates is thrilled to hear her son's voice.

KELEMEN: Travis King had spent a couple of months in a South Korean prison for an assault charge and was due to return home in July to face disciplinary action when he instead ran into North Korea. Officials say that he will be evaluated at home and reunite with his family before any decisions are made about the case against him. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, the State Department.