US soldier Travis King, who ran away from South Korea to North Korea and was later sent back, will admit to desertion and other charges.
His lawyer said he will plead guilty to five charges, including desertion and assault, as part of a plea deal. The Army has charged King with 14 offenses related to his illegal crossing in July 2023.
King will go to a military court at Fort Bliss, Texas, on 20 September to enter his plea and face sentencing. His lawyer, Franklin Rosenblatt, mentioned that King will also explain his actions in court. Some charges, like possession of child pornography, will be dropped as part of the deal.
King, who joined the Army in January 2021, crossed into North Korea while serving in South Korea. He had previously been held in South Korea for assault charges and was released just before crossing into North Korea.
Swedish officials helped bring him back to the US. The US government did not make any deals to get him released, according to BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dpyl5j5vmo