U.S. Army soldier Pvt. Travis King, who was detained in North Korea in 2023 after fleeing there, pleaded guilty to desertion, disobeying orders, and assault. He was sentenced to 12 months of confinement, with time served counting towards his sentence. King's military status was reduced to the lowest rank, and he was dishonorably discharged. The guilty plea ended a rare episode involving military desertion and negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea. King crossed into North Korea from South Korea, where he was detained for over two months before being released into U.S. custody. He pleaded guilty to several charges, accepting responsibility for his actions. His attorney stated that King will face ongoing consequences for his actions for the rest of his life.