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US Army Pvt. Travis King pleaded guilty to desertion, assault, and disobeying orders after crossing into North Korea in 2023.

Let’s bring you up to speed: On July 18, 2023, King voluntarily crossed into North Korea during a tour of the Demilitarized Zone. According to authorities, his decision was driven by dissatisfaction with his military service and a desire to escape the Army. Just days before he entered North Korea, King canceled his flight back to Texas, booked a hotel room, and arranged for the tour that allowed him to access the border area. King remained in North Korea until September 27, 2023, when he was handed over to a Swedish ambassador and eventually returned to US custody.

Charges: Shortly after arriving back in the US, King faced 14 charges, including desertion, assault on a noncommissioned officer, and disobeying a superior commissioned officer. During his court-martial at Fort Bliss, Texas, King pleaded guilty to some of the charges, including three counts of disobeying orders, one count of desertion, and one count of assault. However, he did not plead guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse material and making false statements, which were part of the original allegations. As part of a plea agreement, nine of the charges were dropped.

Punishment: King was sentenced to 12 months of confinement, demoted to the lowest enlisted rank of E1, and dishonorably discharged from the Army.

Attorney speaks: Franklin Rosenblatt, an attorney for King, said he “has faced significant challenges throughout his life, including a difficult upbringing, exposure to criminal environments, and struggles with mental health. All these factors have compounded the hardships he faced in the military. He has accepted responsibility during today’s court martial — but make no mistake, the negative public perception and the ongoing consequences of his actions, coupled with the confinement he’s endured, represents an ongoing punishment Travis King will endure for the rest of his life.”