WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Askume) – U.S. Army Private Travis King, who defected to North Korea last year and was detained there, was sentenced on Friday to one year in prison, the first time he has been released on the basis of time served, his lawyer said in a statement.
He pleaded guilty to five charges and was sentenced at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Why is this important?
Askume reported late last year that the US militaryKim is accused of multiple crimes, including fleeing North Korea in July 2023, assaulting fellow soldiers, and soliciting child pornography .
Following his release from North Korean custody in September 2023 after behind-the-scenes negotiations, the military charged him with 14 counts under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. After he was found guilty on five counts, the government moved to drop nine counts.
Key Quotes
His lawyer said: “Travis has served his sentence and has been commended for his good behaviour and he has now been released and will return home.”
situation
Kim joined the military in January 2021. He was detained in South Korea on assault charges, to which he pleaded guilty.
Kim is already facing disciplinary action in the United States after being released from detention in South Korea. Last year, when I returned to my country, I quietly walked out of Seoul International Airport and went on a folk tour to the border area between North and South Korea.
Kim has since crossed the border into North Korea. He was immediately taken into custody by North Korea.
