United States soldier Travis King, who had fled to North Korea and was taken into custody there, has been released based on good behaviour and time served after being sentenced to one year of confinement. King had pleaded guilty to five charges, including desertion and assault on a noncommissioned officer, as part of a plea deal accepted by a military judge in Fort Bliss, Texas. The soldier was originally facing at least 14 charges, including desertion and solicitation of child pornography.
King, who was stationed in South Korea, had walked out of the airport and crossed the border into North Korea during a civilian sightseeing tour of the Korean Demilitarised Zone in July 2023. He was immediately taken into North Korean custody. Following an investigation, North Korea decided to expel King for illegally intruding into its territory, and he was returned to US custody in September 2023.
King’s lawyer stated that the judge sentenced him to one year of confinement, reduction in rank to private (E-1), forfeiture of pay and allowances, and a dishonourable discharge as part of the plea deal. The lawyer also mentioned that King had faced significant challenges throughout his life, including a difficult upbringing, exposure to criminal environments, and struggles with mental health, which compounded the hardships he faced in the military.
The US Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel confirmed King’s guilty plea as part of a fair and just result that reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed. King’s release after time served and good behaviour marks the end of a legal saga that began when he fled to North Korea.
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