U.S. Military Non-public Travis King, who arrived in North Korea final 12 months and was detained there, was sentenced Friday to at least one 12 months of confinement after which launched based mostly on time already served, his lawyer mentioned in a press release.
He pleaded responsible to 5 fees and was sentenced at Fort Bliss, Texas.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The U.S. army has charged King with crimes together with desertion for fleeing to North Korea in July 2023, assault in opposition to fellow troopers and soliciting little one pornography, Reuters reported late final 12 months.
The army charged him with 14 offenses underneath the Uniform Code of Army Justice after he was launched from North Korean custody in September 2023 following behind-the-scenes negotiations. The federal government determined to dismiss 9 offenses after he pleaded responsible to 5 fees.
“Together with his sentence now served and credit score for his good habits, Travis is now free and will probably be returning dwelling,” his lawyer mentioned.
King joined the army in January 2021. He was detained in South Korea on assault fees to which he pleaded responsible.
King was already dealing with disciplinary motion in america after being launched from South Korea. Final 12 months, he was on his means dwelling when he slipped out of Seoul’s worldwide airport and headed off on a civilian tour of the border space between North and South Korea.
King then ran throughout the border into North Korea, the place he was instantly taken into North Korean custody.