US army private King, who fled to North Korea, to plead guilty to 5 charges

WASHINGTON - US Army Private Travis King, who in 2023 ran into North Korea and was taken into custody there, will plead guilty to five charges, including desertion, while taking responsibility for his conduct, his lawyer said in a statement on Aug 26.

Why it’s important

The US Army charged King with crimes ranging from desertion for running into North Korea in July to assault against fellow soldiers and solicitation of child pornography, Reuters reported late last year.

He was charged by the Army with 14 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, after his release from North Korean custody in September.

His release followed weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations that led the Swedish government to retrieve King in North Korea and bring him across the border into China for a handoff to the US ambassador.

Key quotes

"He will plead guilty to five of those (14 offenses), including desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a noncommissioned officer," his lawyer said.

"He will plead not guilty to the remaining offenses, which the Army will withdraw and dismiss."

Context

King joined the Army in January 2021. He was detained in South Korea over assault allegations to which he pleaded guilty.

King had already been due to face disciplinary action in the United States after his release from South Korean detention.

He was on his way home when he slipped away from Seoul's international airport and made his way to a civilian tour of the border area between North and South Korea.

Then King sprinted across the border into North Korea. He was immediately taken into North Korean custody before being released in September 2023.

The guilty plea and sentencing hearing will be held on Sept 20 at Fort Bliss in Texas, the lawyer added. REUTERS