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Fort Bliss, TX- Army Pvt. Travis King, who made international headlines last year after fleeing into North Korea, has been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. military following his guilty plea to charges of desertion and other offenses. However, a military judge ruled that King would not serve additional prison time, granting him release for time already served.
King, 24, faced a court-martial at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he pleaded guilty to five out of 14 charges on September 20. The remaining nine charges were dismissed by the military judge, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rick Mathew. The judge took into account King’s time in pre-trial confinement at Otero County Jail in New Mexico, along with credit for good behavior, leading to his immediate release.
The case garnered significant attention after King fled across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into North Korea on July 18, 2023, while part of a tour group visiting the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom. His escape occurred shortly after he was escorted to an airport in South Korea to be returned to the U.S. following a two-month stint in a South Korean jail, where he had been detained for allegedly assaulting a South Korean national in a bar fight. King’s dramatic flight into North Korea lasted until September 2023, when he was returned to U.S. custody and faced court-martial for desertion and other violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“The outcome of today’s court-martial is a fair and just result that reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed by Pvt. King,” said Maj. Allyson Montgomery, a prosecutor with the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel. “This verdict will promote good order and discipline within the U.S. Army and deter similar offenses in the future.”
Along with the desertion charge, King admitted guilt to three counts of insubordination stemming from an incident in October 2023 after his return to U.S. custody. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a noncommissioned officer the day following the insubordination charges.
King’s sentencing included a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank to private (E-1), and forfeiture of pay. Initially, he faced a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. King, who joined the Army in 2021, had been stationed in South Korea as part of a unit rotation.
“Travis King has faced significant challenges throughout his life, including a difficult upbringing, exposure to criminal environments, and struggles with mental health,” said Franklin Rosenblatt, King’s lead defense attorney. “These factors compounded the hardships he encountered during his time in the military.”
During the court proceedings, King expressed dissatisfaction with his military service and revealed that he had intended to leave the Army, which contributed to his decision to flee to North Korea. His attorneys argued that his mental health struggles and personal hardships played a significant role in his actions.
Rosenblatt emphasized that although King accepted responsibility for his actions, he will continue to face the consequences, both publicly and privately, for the rest of his life.
Source: Task & Purpose
