WASHINGTON (AP) — An Army private who fled to North Korea before being returned home to the United States last month has been detained by the U.S. military, two officials said Thursday night, and is facing charges including desertion and possessing sexual images of a child.
Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesOne week later, King, 23, ran across the heavily fortified border from South Korea and became the first American detained in North Korea in nearly five years.
Officials said King was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs.
His release from North Korea was aided by Swedish officials who took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by U.S.
By declaring King a deserter, the Army would have to conclude that King left and intended to stay away permanently.
Persons:
Travis King, King's, Claudine Gates, “, ”, King, China Nicholas Burns, Fort Sam Houston, Sean Timmons, Snapchat, ” Timmons, Tara Copp
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, —, Army, U.S ., Associated Press, Air Force, U.S, . Defense Department, Brooke Army Medical, Fort
Locations:
North Korea, United States, South Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, Korean, Panmunjom, Pyongyang, Texas, China, Swedish, U.S, Fort Sam, San Antonio, Korea, Tully, Washington