Key takeaways:
– US Army private, Travis King, pleads guilty to desertion and other charges.
– King crossed into North Korea in July 2023 while on a DMZ tour, after skipping a return flight to the US.
– Found guilty, he received a 12-month imprisonment, a demotion, and a dishonorable discharge.
– His sentencing hopes to deter future military infractions by US soldiers.
US Soldier Travis King Admits Guilt
The US Army announced on Friday that Private Travis King, who strayed into North Korea last year, has pleaded guilty to desertion and other charges. The 24-year-old entered his plea during a military hearing at Fort Bliss, Texas, revealing an unexpected turn of events behind his exceptional case.
Charges Faced by King
King faced one count of desertion, three counts of disobeying a superior commissioned officer, and one count of assaulting a noncommissioned officer. The Army Office of the Special Trial Counsel confirmed these details during a news release. Previously King had faced 14 charges, however, his lawyer disclosed that nine of those had been dropped as part of his plea agreement.
Sentencing Outcomes
After pleading guilty, King was sentenced to 12 months incarceration, with credit accounted for time already served. Furthermore, he received a demotion to E1, the lowest enlisted rank, accompanied by a dishonorable discharge. This severe demotion succinctly underlines the gravity of his offenses.
King’s Misadventures in Korea
King’s military career took a sudden detour in July 2023 when he fled to North Korea while on a guided tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Prior to his desertion, King had been serving time in a South Korean detention facility for assaulting two people and kicking a police car. Despite his detention, the Army private had been set to fly back to the US from Seoul. However, upon reaching the airport, he decided to skip his flight, leading him to cross the DMZ into North Korea.
Following his illegal entry into North Korea, local authorities held him for approximately two months before expelling him to China. From there, he was transferred into US custody in September 2023. Notably, US officials declared that no concessions were made to North Korea or China for King’s return.
Military Response
Since his return, King has been held in the Otero County Jail in New Mexico. Army prosecutor, Maj. Allyson Montgomery, addressed the case stating, “The outcome of today’s court-martial is a fair and just result that reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed by Pvt. King”. The stern punishment, she suggested, aims to domestically cultivate discipline and prevent similar incidents in the Army’s future.
King has been serving in the US Army since January 2021 and was initially deployed to South Korea as part of the Pentagon’s conventional Korean Force Rotation. His story serves as a reminder of the unwavering standards and discipline required in the military services.