US soldier Travis King to plead guilty to desertion charges
Travis King faces court-martial for desertion and other charges
Travis King, a U.S. Army private who entered North Korea from South Korea last year, plans to plead guilty to several criminal charges, including desertion, according to his lawyer.
King faces 14 charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. His attorney, Frank Rosenblatt, confirmed that King will plead guilty to five charges while the remaining charges will be dismissed.
King’s guilty plea will be submitted at a general court-martial, where he will explain his actions to military judge Lieutenant Colonel Rick Mathew. The hearing and sentencing are scheduled for Friday, 20 September 2024, at 9 a.m. at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Rosenblatt expressed King’s gratitude to his supporters and those who withheld judgment based on initial allegations.
Travis King, the U.S. Army soldier who ran across the border from South Korea to North Korea last year, will plead guilty to desertion and assault charges as part of a plea deal, according to his attorney. https://t.co/mwyJP4cP3e
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 26, 2024
North Korean authorities released King last September after detaining him since 18 July, when he reportedly fled from a tour group into the Demilitarized Zone. No contact was made with King during his detention, and North Korean officials were uncooperative with U.S. inquiries.
The incident occurred after King spent two months in a South Korean detention facility following a physical altercation with locals. During this time, he expressed a desire not to return to America. He was released on 10 July and sent back to Fort Bliss, where he could have faced further military discipline and possible discharge. King has also faced at least two other assault-related allegations in South Korea.
North Korean state media claimed King crossed into the country due to “inhumane maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.” King’s mother disputed these claims, asserting her son had no intention of defecting.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Star Tribune reports that Travis King, an Army private who fled to North Korea, will plead guilty to desertion and four other charges, taking responsibility for his actions, with nine other offenses dropped from the case. (read more)
- NBC News reports that US soldier Travis King, who fled to North Korea, is charged with desertion, assault, and soliciting child pornography. (read more)
- Associated Press reports on the return of US Army Private Travis King, who fled to North Korea, facing charges of desertion and possessing child pornography, and underwent medical and psychological assessments upon his repatriation back to the US. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What charges is Travis King facing?
Travis King is charged with 14 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
How many charges will Travis King plead guilty to?
Travis King will plead guilty to five charges.
When and where will Travis King’s court-martial take place?
The court-martial will be on September 20, 2024, at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Why did North Korea hold Travis King?
North Korea held King after he sprinted into the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea.
Did Travis King’s mother agree with reports about his defection to North Korea?
No, King’s mother disputed the reports, saying he had no motivation to defect.
