US Army Private Travis King, who made headlines last year for running into North Korea, has been sentenced to one year of confinement, but has been freed based on time already served. King pleaded guilty to five charges, including desertion, assault, and solicitation of child pornography, and the sentencing took place at Fort Bliss in Texas.
Originally charged with 14 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, King was released from North Korean custody in September 2023 after negotiations. The US government dropped nine charges after his guilty plea.
King, who joined the Army in 2021, had a troubled past that included assault allegations in South Korea. Despite facing disciplinary action upon his return to the US, King managed to escape from Seoul’s international airport during a layover and ran into North Korea.
This daring move led to his immediate capture by North Korean authorities. After a year of confinement, King is now a free man, albeit with a tarnished reputation and a tumultuous military career.