US Soldier Who Fled To North Korea Charged With Desertion, Child Porn

Travis King, the US soldier who fled to North Korea in July, has been charged by the American Army for desertion, and soliciting and possessing sexual images of a child, the BBC said. The charges also reportedly include assault against fellow soldiers. Travis King had returned to the US in September and taken to the Brooke Army Medical Centre in Texas - the same place that American basketball star Brittney Griner was evaluated after being released by Russia in December 2022.

Private King illegally crossed into North Korea in July while on a guided tour of a border village, the BBC report said. Pyongyang eventually released him without giving further details.

Though the US Army has not said anything on the issue officially, but it appears he is facing eight charges, including disobeying a superior officer, reported CNN.