Travis King to plead guilty in North Korea border incident

Travis King, a U.S. Army private, is set to plead guilty at a general court martial hearing at Fort Bliss, Texas, after running into North Korea from South Korea in July 2023. He faces 14 charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but will plead guilty to five, including desertion, while the remaining charges will be dismissed. His attorney, Franklin Rosenblatt, indicated that King will explain his actions and respond to the military judge's inquiries during the hearing. King's actions triggered an international incident, as he was held by North Korean authorities for over two months after crossing the border at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone. Prior to this incident, he had escaped from his Army escort at the airport, where he was supposed to board a flight to the U.S. after being released from South Korean detention on assault charges. Upon his return to the U.S. in September, King was placed in a military reintegration program designed for individuals who have been detained overseas. The Army prioritized his physical and mental well-being during this period, refraining from commenting on potential disciplinary actions. In October, military prosecutors filed eight criminal charges against him, leading to the current court martial proceedings. The outcome of the plea deal remains uncertain, as the presiding judge has the authority to either accept the plea or require a contested court-martial.