U.S. Army Private Travis King

[Llarry]

The U.S. typically makes great efforts to repatriate U.S. citizens detained in North Korea (or other like autocratic regimes) but, if the background surrounding this case that I have heard is accurate -- PVT King laughing as he sprinted into N. Norean custody, etc., and his criminal history -- I think it makes sense to consider him (1) a deserter, and (2) an immigrant to North Korea. Have a great life there in paradise, Travis!

[Oldgixxer]

100% agree. According to various media outlets his past few years since enlisting have been filled w turmoil,hardly an innocent tour-goer. Play stupid games,win stupid prizes...he wanted to run over to NK to avoid being subjected to military discipline when he arrived back in the States,so stay there and enjoy it dumbass! I don't think we should waste any resources trying to negotiate his return.

[billnchristy]

Of all the places...shows how bright this Edison bulb is.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

Of all the places...shows how bright this Edison bulb is.

Exactly! It's much better than being dishonorably discharged or even sitting in a comfy(compared to the consequences he faces from Kim Jong) jail here in the USA.

Me thinks he'll be regretting his choice very quickly once reality sets in

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Exactly! It's much better than being dishonorably discharged or even sitting in a comfy(compared to the consequences he faces from Kim Jong) jail here in the USA.

Me thinks he'll be regretting his choice very quickly once reality sets in

A dishonorable discharge is the equivalent of a felony conviction, with all its restrictions.

Even at that, there are "better" countries.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Exactly! It's much better than being dishonorably discharged or even sitting in a comfy(compared to the consequences he faces from Kim Jong) jail here in the USA.

Me thinks he'll be regretting his choice very quickly once reality sets in

What a dumb ass. I guess he never heard of Otto Warmbier.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

A dishonorable discharge is the equivalent of a felony conviction, with all its restrictions.

Even at that, there are "better" countries.

Ok I wasn't sure so thanks for essplaining
Still,I'd rather be locked up in America than North Korea any day or,not be in jail and just have to deal with the consequences that follow a felony conviction for the rest of my life. As crappy as that would be,I'd still be free even if I'd have huge difficulties finding gainful employment etc as a result

[RickFLM4]

We have an oversupply of dummies here. They can keep him. I sure hope the U.S. government doesn’t work out some prisoner exchange or other concession to get him back from his self-inflicted situation.

[Llarry]

At least initially, I suspect the NKs will treat him like royalty -- a nice propaganda windfall for them. Once he shows them his true colors, the party might end badly for him.

[Bc2005]

It appears quite clear that Travis has no idea what he got himself into by jumping over the line into North Korea. Due to his low rank and job he is unlikely to have military information of any value to NK, so his only hope for good treatment is the propaganda value of the defection.

It’s not stated anywhere that he was headed back for a Dishonorable Discharge or Bad Conduct Discharge. They could instead give him a “Discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions”, which would still prevent any future veterans benefits. It’s a simpler process and it does not require a Court Martial offense as a basis. With an OTH discharge you normally do not have the equivalent of a felony conviction.

[Llarry]

The tough part of this is the parents: They will of course want their baby boy back and there is likely to be pressure on the U.S. government from various quarters to that effect.

Maybe he can prove himself a loyal and productive North Korean citizen, get a passport and visa and visit Mom and Dad some day. (Yeah, right.)

[Mingwan]

Probably thought Kim is a secretly a nice guy who will play basketball with him while listening to Katy Perry.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

It’s not stated anywhere that he was headed back for a Dishonorable Discharge or Bad Conduct Discharge. They could instead give him a “Discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions”, which would still prevent any future veterans benefits. It’s a simpler process and it does not require a Court Martial offense as a basis. With an OTH discharge you normally do not have the equivalent of a felony conviction.

Not sure what type of discharge this would be classified as,but discharge nonetheless:
King was facing discharge from the Army because he was convicted of a crime in a foreign country, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

[tcphoto]

Some people cannot handle freedom well, they abuse the system and become a burden on others. Perhaps Dennis Rodman will make the trip to visit his friend and ask for the guys release. Of course, we can always hope that the tiny dictator will embrace the guy and parade him around as if he is a trophy for the great country of North Korea.

[saphirschwarz.f48]

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. This dude has to be the King of Stupid

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

Some people cannot handle freedom well, they abuse the system and become a burden on others. Perhaps Dennis Rodman will make the trip to visit his friend and ask for the guys release. Of course, we can always hope that the tiny dictator will embrace the guy and parade him around as if he is a trophy for the great country of North Korea.

Why does this post remind me of Princess Leia as slave to Jabba the Hutt?

[tturedraider]

I visited North Korea when I was in the Army. But, I didn’t stay.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I visited North Korea when I was in the Army. But, I didn’t stay.

When I was stationed there (1988-1990) I believe it was a U.S. Forces Korea policy that encouraged military personnel to visit, so I did the same. Interesting, I suppose, but not really enjoyable.

[Jackie Chiles]

Travis seems to be mentally ill.

[nerdogray]

I'm sure we'll offer some lopsided, treasure for turds, exchange, and when he returns he'll be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Because racism...

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Llarry

When I was stationed there (1988-1990) I believe it was a U.S. Forces Korea policy that encouraged military personnel to visit, so I did the same. Interesting, I suppose, but not really enjoyable.

We were there at the same time! I was there from July 1989 - July 1990. Where were you posted? I was at Camp Humphreys. Did you extend a year or had you taken family? I notice you were there two years. I wish I had extended, but I thought I wanted to come home. My job in Korea was much more interesting than stateside.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

We were there at the same time! I was there from July 1989 - July 1990. Where were you posted? I was at Camp Humphreys. Did you extend a year or had you taken family? I notice you were there two years. I wish I had extended, but I thought I wanted to come home. My job in Korea was much more interesting than stateside.

I was Navy at the NSGA co-located with the 751st MI Bn at Camp Humphreys. I was authorized an accompanied two-year tour and lived in family housing on Osan AB. My daughter was a junior high schooler and commuted to Seoul for school.

Have you seen what happened to Camp Humphreys? It is amazing. I think a lot of functions have moved down to Camp Humphreys from Yongsan, and they've done a huge amount of construction. See attached photo.

I got there in June or July of 1988 and left in July of 1990, so yeah, we were there at the same time. I was a Navy LT (railroad tracks) and was the NSGA Ops Officer and then the Executive Officer of the NSGA. We had something like a hundred sailors -- we were definitely outnumbered by the Army!