U.S. Army Private Travis King has agreed to plead guilty to desertion and several other serious charges as part of a plea deal, according to his attorney. This development follows King's highly publicized escape into North Korea in July 2023, a move that garnered global attention and led to a series of legal and diplomatic repercussions.
King, who was stationed in South Korea, made headlines last year when he dashed across the heavily fortified border into North Korea, becoming the first American detained in the country in nearly five years. The 23-year-old private was expected to return to the U.S. after being released from a South Korean prison, where he had served a nearly two-month sentence for assault charges. Instead, he chose to flee, joining a civilian tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom and running across the demarcation line into North Korean territory.
North Korea says U.S. soldier Travis King wants to stay because he's unhappy with America's "unequal society," blames "racial discrimination" in the U.S. Army pic.twitter.com/Xyd345bGy5 — BNO News (@BNONews) August 15, 2023
According to Franklin D. Rosenblatt, King's attorney, the Army private will formally admit his guilt to five out of 14 charges during a plea hearing scheduled for September 20 at Fort Bliss, Texas. The charges to which King will plead guilty include desertion, assaulting an officer, and several other offenses. The remaining charges, which include possession of child pornography and unlawfully possessing alcohol, are expected to be dismissed under the plea agreement.
Rosenblatt emphasized that King's decision to plead guilty reflects his desire to take responsibility for his actions. "He wants to take responsibility for the things that he did," Rosenblatt said. However, the attorney declined to speculate on the potential sentence King might face. Desertion, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, is among the most serious offenses for a service member.
The circumstances surrounding King's escape were both alarming and peculiar. After his release from the South Korean prison, he was escorted to the airport to return to Fort Bliss. Instead of boarding his flight, King deviated from his path, joining a tourist group and crossing the border into North Korea. His dramatic entry into the isolated nation led to his detainment by North Korean authorities.
King was held in North Korea for approximately two months before being expelled and returned to the U.S. on September 28, 2023. Upon his return, he was swiftly placed in custody and faced a series of charges filed by the U.S. military under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The charges included not only desertion but also assaulting officers, making false statements, and possessing sexually explicit material involving minors.
The legal proceedings have been closely watched, given the unusual nature of King's case. The Army's charges against him included a range of offenses dating back to the day he was released from the South Korean prison. As a result of plea negotiations, it appears that King will admit to a subset of these charges, while others will be dropped as part of the agreement.
King's situation has raised significant questions about his motivations and the broader implications for military discipline and international relations. His plea deal is expected to address not only the legal ramifications of his actions but also the broader impact on his military career and personal life.
