US soldier who fled to North Korea pleads guilty to desertion, assault
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SUMMARY
U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King, who fled to North Korea in 2023, pleaded guilty to charges of desertion, assault, and disobeying orders during a court-martial at Fort Bliss, Texas. King admitted to three counts of disobeying a superior officer, desertion, and assault on a noncommissioned officer. He was sentenced to 12 months of confinement, with time already served counting toward his sentence. Additionally, King was demoted to the lowest Army rank and issued a dishonorable discharge. The Army prosecutor, Maj. Allyson Montgomery, stated the court's decision promotes discipline and serves as a deterrent. King's attorney, Franklin Rosenblatt, noted that nine other charges were dropped as part of the plea. Rosenblatt emphasized King’s difficult upbringing, mental health struggles, and ongoing challenges, adding that King will face lasting consequences beyond his sentence.
