U.S. soldier Travis King, who fled from South Korea to North Korea before being returned to the U.S., plans to plead guilty to desertion and other charges, according to his lawyer. The Army has filed 14 charges against King for his illegal crossing in July 2023.
As part of a plea deal, he intends to plead guilty to five charges, including desertion and assault. “He will plead not guilty to the remaining offenses, which the Army will withdraw and dismiss,” said his lawyer, Franklin Rosenblatt, in a statement.
King’s plea and sentencing hearing are scheduled for September 20 at Fort Bliss, Texas. “Travis’s guilty plea will be entered at a general court-martial,” Rosenblatt said in an email on Monday. During the hearing, King will explain his actions, answer questions from a military judge, and receive his sentence. Rosenblatt added that King is thankful for the support from his family, friends, and others who have not “pre-judged” him based on the allegations. Charges expected to be dismissed as part of the plea deal include possession of child pornography.
His run into North Korea came soon after he was released from a South Korean prison where he had served nearly two months on assault charges.
About a week after his release from the prison, military officers took him to the airport so he could return to Fort Bliss to face disciplinary action. He was escorted as far as customs, but instead of getting on the plane, he joined a civilian tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He then ran across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists.
King has been in the Army since January 2021 and was stationed in South Korea as part of a unit rotation when he crossed into North Korea. Before that incident, he had served two months in detention in South Korea for assaulting two people and kicking a police car.
He was detained by North Korea, but after about two months, Pyongyang abruptly announced that it would expel him. On Sept. 28, he was flown back to Texas, and has been in custody there.
The plea agreement, reached after months of legal negotiations, will be presented in a military court later this week. Sources familiar with the case say King will admit to unlawfully leaving his assigned duties and seeking asylum in North Korea, one of the most secretive regimes in the world.
Desertion is a serious military offense with significant legal and personal consequences. In King’s case, he could face a lengthy sentence, though the specifics will depend on the final terms of the plea deal. The case has garnered significant attention both in the U.S. and internationally, with many closely watching the developments.
North Korea to Plead Guilty
King’s situation highlights the complex and often dangerous nature of military service, especially in volatile regions. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how this will affect his future and what lessons might be learned from this unprecedented episode. The military and diplomatic communities are now focused on the implications of King’s plea and the broader impact on U.S.-North Korea relations.
The U.S. military in October filed a series of charges against King under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including desertion, as well as kicking and punching other officers, unlawfully possessing alcohol, making a false statement and possessing a video of a child engaged in sexual activity. Those allegations date back to July 10, the same day he was released from the prison.
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