US Soldier Who Fled to North Korea Is Free After Sentencing, Reports Reuters

By Kanishka Singh

U.S. Army Private Travis King was sentenced to one year of confinement on Friday, though he was released based on time already served, according to his lawyer. The sentencing took place at Fort Bliss in Texas.

King pleaded guilty to five charges, including desertion for crossing into North Korea in July 2023, assaulting fellow soldiers, and soliciting child pornography. After his release from North Korean custody in September 2023, he faced 14 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but the government dismissed nine charges after his guilty plea.

His lawyer stated, "With time already served and credit for good behavior, Travis is now free and will return home."

In January 2021, King joined the Army and was previously detained in South Korea for assault allegations, also admitting guilt in that case. After slipping away from Seoul’s international airport while en route home last year, he made his way to a civilian tour at the border area, where he ran across into North Korea and was taken into custody.