Travis King Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Travis King
King in 2021
Born	1999/2000 (age 24–25)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	2021–present
Rank	Private
Unit	2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Awards	National Defense Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal Overseas Service Ribbon

Travis T. King (born 1999 or 2000) is a United States Army soldier who crossed over the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea on 18 July 2023 while on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). King was facing dishonorable discharge from the United States Army due to legal charges in South Korea, the country he was deployed to at the time of the crossing. He was to board a flight to Fort Bliss, Texas, for "Pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction" in the United States, but instead fled the airport, approaching an American Airlines employee and claiming he was missing his passport.

After leaving the airport, King joined a group of tourists on a civilian tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom, and on 18 July 2023 at 15:27 Korean Standard Time (06:27 UTC), crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Joint Security Area (JSA) into North Korea. Witnesses claim that King, dressed in black, suddenly ran to the North Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line while the tour was ongoing, making a loud "laughing" noise while running. Soldiers from the southern side chased after King.

King was detained by North Korean authorities on 18 July 2023 and was released on 27 September 2023 back to U.S. authorities.

King was subsequently flown to Kelly Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and arrived on September 28 around 12:30 a.m. Central Standard Time (05:30 UTC). He was treated on base at Brooke Army Medical Center. The U.S. Department of Defense released a lengthy statement that their immediate goal was to focus on his health, privacy, and his return to his family. The US military was also to debrief him regarding his activities in North Korea, and any dialogues he may have had with North Korean officials.

On August 27, 2024, it was announced that King would plead guilty to five of the 14 offenses he was charged with, those being the desertion charge, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a non-commissioned officer. A statement issued by Rosenblatt said that King would "plead not guilty to the remaining offenses, which the Army will withdraw and dismiss". He was found guilty of the relevant charges and sentenced to 12 months in confinement but was released immediately due to good behavior and having served 338 days in detention.

Awards and decorations

National Defense Service Medal (2021)
Korean Defense Service Medal (2022)
Overseas Service Ribbon (2022)

Travis King facts for kids

Awards and decorations

See also