Travis King, a U.S. Army private who ran into North Korea from South Korea last year, is expected to plead guilty to multiple criminal charges, including desertion. He has been charged with 14 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with his attorney stating that King will plead guilty to five charges and not guilty to the remaining offenses, which the Army intends to dismiss. King’s guilty plea will be entered at a general court-martial, where he will explain his actions to military judge U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rick Mathew. The plea and sentencing are scheduled for September 20, 2024, at Fort Bliss, Texas. King’s attorney expressed gratitude for the support from friends and family, emphasizing that King should not be judged based on initial allegations.
After being held by the North Korean government since July 18, King was released last September. His capture occurred when he reportedly sprinted away from a tour group into the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. There was no contact with King during his captivity, and North Korean officials were not forthcoming in response to U.S. inquiries. The incident happened after King spent two months in a South Korean detention facility following a physical altercation with locals, with reports indicating that King had expressed a desire to not return to America during his time in the facility. Upon his release from the South Korean detention facility on July 10, King was sent back to Fort Bliss, where he faced potential additional military discipline and discharge due to at least two other assault-related allegations in South Korea. North Korean state media reported that King confessed to crossing into the country due to alleged mistreatment and discrimination within the U.S. Army, a claim that was disputed by his mother.
Fox News Digital’s Timothy H.J. Nerozzi and Liz Friden contributed to the report on Travis King’s upcoming guilty plea and sentencing related to the charges brought against him by the U.S. Army. King’s attorney, Frank Rosenblatt, stated that King will plead guilty to five of the 14 offenses and not guilty to the rest, which are expected to be dismissed by the Army. The plea and sentencing are set to take place on September 20, 2024, at Fort Bliss, Texas, where King will have the opportunity to explain his actions to military judge U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rick Mathew. Rosenblatt expressed King’s appreciation for the support he has received from friends and family, urging that people should not rush to judgment based on initial allegations.
In the aftermath of Travis King’s release from North Korean custody, details emerged of his capture after running into the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea. The North Korean government kept King in custody since July 18, with limited communication with outside officials, and uncooperative responses to U.S. inquiries. King’s actions came after a stint in a South Korean detention facility following a physical altercation, during which he reportedly expressed reluctance to return to America. He faced the prospect of military discipline and discharge upon his return to Fort Bliss due to past assault-related allegations in South Korea. North Korean state media reported that King confessed to entering the country due to alleged mistreatment and discrimination within the U.S. Army, a claim challenged by his mother.
Travis King’s upcoming guilty plea and sentencing related to the criminal charges brought against him by the U.S. Army represent another chapter in the complex circumstances surrounding his capture in North Korea after running from South Korea. His attorney’s statement indicates that King will plead guilty to five of the 14 offenses and not guilty to the others, which are expected to be dismissed by the Army. The plea and sentencing are scheduled for September 20, 2024, at Fort Bliss, Texas, providing an opportunity for King to explain his actions to military judge U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rick Mathew. The legal proceedings will offer insight into the motivations behind King’s actions and the consequences he may face as a result.
