Travis King: Soldier who fled to North Korea ‘charged back in US’

US solider Travis King, who was returned to the US last month, is reportedly facing charges including desertion, and soliciting and possessing sexual images of a child.

The charges also reportedly include assault against fellow soldiers. 

King illegally crossed into North Korea in July while on a guided tour of a border village. 

North Korea eventually released him without further details. 

The charges have not yet been officially announced according to the Reuters news agency, which broke the story, he appears to be facing eight charges. 

King, 23, could be jailed on the charges. He is also accused of broad misconduct before he fled to North Korea, including an attempted escape from US military custody in October 2022, Reuters news agency reports.

He was accused of soliciting a Snapchat user in July 2023 to “knowingly and willingly produce child pornography”. He was also accused of possession of child pornography.

His mother, Claudine Gates, asked that her son “be afforded the presumption of innocence”.