U.S. Military Detains Army Private Who Escaped to North Korea, Facing Desertion and Other Charges, Say Officials

A U.S. Army private, who had previously fled to North Korea and was subsequently returned to American soil earlier this month, is currently in custody of the U.S. military. He is facing a series of charges, including desertion and possession of child sexual imagery, according to two unnamed officials who spoke on Thursday evening. The particulars of the eight charges leveled against Pvt. Travis King have been outlined in a legal document, which was viewed by The Big Big News. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity, as the charges have yet to be officially disclosed to the public.

Claudine Gates, King’s mother, issued a statement asserting her son’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. She stated, “As a mother, I understand my son well, and I believe that something occurred that altered his actions during his deployment.”

Desertion is a grave military offense that may lead to a prison sentence of up to three years.

King, aged 23, had crossed the heavily militarized boundary separating North and South Korea in July, becoming the first American to be apprehended in North Korea in almost half a decade.

This move came subsequent to his release from a South Korean penitentiary on July 10, where he had been incarcerated for close to two months on charges of assault. He was slated to be transferred to Fort Bliss in Texas, where further disciplinary actions and possibly discharge awaited him.

According to officials, King was taken to the airport and accompanied up to the customs area. However, rather than boarding the plane, he opted to leave, subsequently taking part in a civilian tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He made his escape across the heavily guarded and frequently tourist-filled border in the afternoon.

Approximately two months later, North Korean authorities unexpectedly announced their decision to deport him. He was flown to an Air Force installation in Texas.

At that juncture, it was unclear to authorities why North Korea had elected to release King, although speculation posited that North Korean officials had likely assessed him to be of minimal value, either as a bargaining chip or as a source of intelligence.

While King was absent, U.S. Army leadership categorized him as being Absent Without Leave (AWOL) rather than officially labeling him a deserter—a designation that carries greater severity. To label King as a deserter, it would necessitate the Army’s conclusion that King had left with the intent of never returning. It should be noted that in times of active conflict, the crime of desertion can be punishable by death.

Service members may be declared AWOL for various durations but have the option to return voluntarily. The ensuing disciplinary actions can range from confinement to loss of pay or even dishonorable discharge, and these penalties are typically contingent upon the length of absence and the circumstances surrounding their return or capture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about U.S. Army Private Travis King Desertion

More about U.S. Army Private Travis King Desertion

• U.S. Military Code on Desertion
• Legal Definitions: AWOL vs Desertion
• North Korea-U.S. Relations: A Historical Overview
• U.S. Army Disciplinary Actions: An Overview
• Current Status of U.S.-North Korea Relations
• Legal Ramifications of Possession of Child Sexual Imagery in the U.S.
• Military Trials: Procedures and Penalties