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US soldier Travis King is undergoing physical examinations at a base in Texas after being expelled by North Korea following a two-month detention.

The tests aim to "assess his emotional and mental health," a Pentagon official said on Thursday, hours after he was seen landing in San Antonio.

The 23-year-old reconnaissance specialist illegally crossed into North Korea from South Korea in July.

Officials have not said what punishment or disciplinary action he may face.

Pvt King was seen landing at the Lackland Air Force Base at 01:30 eastern time (05:30 GMT) before being taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center.

Video showed him walking off the plane and speaking to people on the tarmac.

"He'll be going through medical screenings, medical evaluations, and then he'll be meeting with professionals to assess his emotional and mental health," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters, adding that he will also be re-united with family members.

She declined to say how long the "reintegration programme" may take, adding that he will also "be getting debriefed by US military officials".

The base is the same one where basketball star Britney Griner received medical treatment following her nearly 10-month detention in Russia.

Mrs Singh refused to describe what punishment Pvt King may be facing, telling reporters, "we're really focused on his health, reuniting him with his family."

US Army spokesman Bryce Dubee added: "The Army's focus right now is on ensuring the soldier's well-being and privacy."

"His status will be addressed at a later time by the chain of command," he added.

While detained by Pyongyang, North Korean media said he had fled into its territory because of "inhuman treatment" and racism within the US military.

His release deal was brokered by Swedish officials, who brought Pvt King to North Korea's border with China.

Once in China, Pvt King was met by US Ambassador Nicholas Burns who said Beijing played a "constructive role" but "did not mediate" the release.

The US and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations and Sweden's embassy in Pyongyang has historically negotiated on Washington's behalf.

On Wednesday, a Swedish embassy spokesman confirmed that Stockholm had acted "within its role as a protective power" for the US in North Korea during the negotiations.

Pvt King was on duty with the US Army when he crossed the North Korean border.

He had been in the Army since January 2021 and was based in South Korea as part of a rotation.

Prior to sprinting into North Korea, Pvt King had served two months in detention in South Korea on charges that he assaulted two people and kicked a police car.

He was released from custody on 10 July - eight days before he crossed the country's border with Pyongyang.