American military personnel, who defected to North Korea, was given a sentence of one year in imprisonment and a dishonorable discharge.
Private Travis King admitted guilt at a tribunal in Fort Bliss, Texas, for a single charge - or instance - of desertion, one charge of attacking a non-commissioned officer, and three charges of disregarding orders from a superior commissioned officer, as reported by the US Army's Office of Special Trial Counsel.
King's military rank was consequently lowered to the most basic enlistment rank, an E1. The period King spent in detention following his capture will be accounted for in his sentence, the Army confirmed.
This narrative is still unfolding and will be updated.
King's guilty plea in the tribunal raised questions within the military community about the impact of his actions on the politics of military discipline. The military justice system will need to consider these political implications while handing out his sentence.
