U.S. private who fled to North Korea to plead to desertion [Video]

WASHINGTON –

A U.S. army private who fled to North Korea just over a year ago will plead guilty to desertion and four other charges and take responsibility for his conduct, his lawyer said Monday.

Travis King’s attorney, Franklin D. Rosenblatt, told The Associated Press that King intends to admit guilt to a total of five military offences, including desertion and assaulting an officer. Nine other offences, including possession of sexual images of a child, will be withdrawn and dismissed under the terms of the deal.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

King will be given an opportunity at a Sept. 20 hearing at Fort Bliss, Texas, to discuss his actions and explain what he did.

“He wants to take responsibility for the things that he did,” Rosenblatt said.

In a separate statement, he added, “Travis is grateful to his friends and family …