Reports: Army Private Who Fled to NKorea Faces Charges
The Facts
Army Pvt. Travis King, who fled to North Korea before being returned to the US last month, is reportedly being charged with desertion and possession of sexual images of a child.
In all, King is facing eight distinct charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The Spin
Narrative A
King should be prosecuted as much as the evidence against him will allow. Deserting the Army was a bad enough violation, but clearly, his actions before he left were leading to discipline that he was trying to avoid. Even worse, he allowed North Korea — one of the most egregious violators of human rights in the world — to use him as a propaganda tool against the US. He must be punished with due process.
Narrative B
Concerns about the mental health of military personnel have to be taken more seriously. It appears something about being in the Army changed King psychologically. If he expressed dissatisfaction with inequities in the military as he had claimed, he must be taken more seriously as well. King might need help from a mental professional more than he needs punishment.