A US man who fled to North Korea next year will enter a plea deal with his lawyer in a court martial.
While on a sightseeing tour of the Demilitarized Zone ( DMZ), which divides the Korean Peninsula, Private Second Class Travis King crossed the border from South Korea to North Korea in July of last year.
King was kicked out of North Korea in September, and he was later accused of betrayal and a number of other offences by the US Army.
The US Army charged the soldier with 14 offences, according to King’s attorney Frank Rosenblatt, and he would enter a guilty plea to five of them on Monday ( Aug 26 ).
” He will plead guilty to five of those, including betrayal, three counts of disobeying an agent, and assault on a non-commissioned commander”, Rosenblatt said in a statement.
” He did plead not guilty to the remaining crimes, which the Army will retreat and reject”.
King’s guilty plea and sentencing hearing may take place on Sep 20 at a jury combat in Fort Bliss, Texas, the prosecutor said.
” That, he will explain what he did, reply a military court’s questions about why he is pleading guilty, and been sentenced”, Rosenblatt said.
Desertion can lead to a five-year prison statement.
Travis ‘ attorney said,” Travis is grateful to his friends and family who have supported him, as well as to all those outside of his group who did not pre-judge his situation based on the initial complaints.”