Army Private to Plead Guilty to Desertion for Fleeing to North Korea

Summary

An Army private who fled to North Korea just over a year ago will plead guilty to desertion and four other charges, the Army announced Wednesday.

Charges and Sentencing

Charges

The private, Travis King, faces the following charges:

• Desertion
• Misconduct
• Failure to obey an order
• Impersonating an officer
• Larceny

Sentencing

King's sentencing is scheduled for July 18. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Background

Fleeing to North Korea

King fled to North Korea in July 2022 while stationed in South Korea. He was taken into custody by North Korean authorities and eventually returned to the United States in October 2022.

Subsequent Investigation

Upon his return, King was charged with desertion and other offenses. An investigation into his disappearance and actions in North Korea is ongoing.

Impact

King's case has raised concerns about the security of U.S. military personnel stationed near North Korea. It is also a reminder of the challenges the United States faces in dealing with North Korea's isolated and unpredictable regime.

Additional Information

For more information on this story, please refer to the following sources:

• CNN: Army private to plead guilty to desertion for fleeing to North Korea
• New York Times: Army Private to Plead Guilty to Desertion After Fleeing to North Korea