In a recent development, U.S. Army Private Travis King, who made headlines last year for fleeing to North Korea, has decided to plead guilty to five charges, including desertion, as confirmed by his legal counsel.
What Happened: King, who was apprehended in North Korea, will confess to five of the 14 charges brought against him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice after his release from North Korean custody last September. The charges include desertion, assault on fellow soldiers, and solicitation of child pornography.
“King will admit guilt to five of the 14 charges, including desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a noncommissioned officer,” his legal representative stated.
The Army will withdraw and dismiss the remaining charges.
Why It Matters: King’s case has garnered considerable attention due to his extraordinary flight to North Korea. His release from North Korean custody in September was the result of weeks of confidential negotiations, culminating in the Swedish government retrieving King and transferring him to the U.S. ambassador in China. This incident came in the wake of a similar case where the U.S. Army halted the pay of a soldier imprisoned in Russia for unacceptable behavior.
The guilty plea and sentencing hearing are scheduled for Sep. 20 at Fort Bliss in Texas. This follows an incident in 2023 where North Korea confirmed the detention of King, who had entered North Korea while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village, making him the first American detained in North Korea in almost five years.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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