USA,Washington,Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea last year, has been sentenced to a prison term equivalent to the time he has already served. King pleaded guilty to five charges, including one count of desertion and four counts of disobeying lawful orders, resulting in a military judge sentencing him to 12 months for desertion and an additional month for each of the other charges. Having already served 338 days in confinement, including 63 days in North Korea, he will be released immediately.

King's defense attorneys had sought a bad conduct discharge, while the prosecution pursued a dishonorable discharge, which was granted. His attorney, Frank Rosenblatt, confirmed that King is now free and will return home. The court-martial outcome was described by prosecutor Maj. Allyson Montgomery as a fair result that underscores the seriousness of King's offenses and aims to deter similar behavior in the Army.

King, who enlisted in January 2021, had been in South Korea when he ran into North Korea during a tour at Panmunjom. He was detained there and returned to the U.S. in September following extensive diplomatic negotiations. Prior to his desertion, King had experienced challenges adjusting to military life, including reported incidents of racism within his unit, which he detailed in a letter. His case echoes that of James Dresnok, another U.S. soldier who defected to North Korea in 1962.