US soldier Travis King has been sentenced to 12 months of confinement after pleading guilty to desertion as part of a plea agreement. King fled into North Korea last year while stationed in South Korea, joining a DMZ sightseeing trip and crossing the border. Despite North Korea initially claiming he had defected due to mistreatment in the US Army, King was later expelled from North Korea for illegally intruding. Following a military judge’s acceptance of the plea deal, King was released due to good behavior and time served.
King’s lawyer, Franklin Rosenblatt, highlighted the challenges King has faced in his life, including a difficult upbringing, exposure to criminal environments, and struggles with mental health. The US Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel confirmed King’s guilty plea and stated that all other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Prosecutor Major Allyson Montgomery described the court martial outcome as fair and just, reflecting the seriousness of King’s offenses. King was also reduced in rank to private (E-1), lost all pay and allowances, and received a dishonourable discharge. Despite the difficult circumstances, King is now free and will be returning home.
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