An American soldier who fled to the DPRK admits guilt of desertion.

American soldier Travis King, who fled to the DPRK and later returned to the United States, intends to plead guilty to desertion,  his lawyer Frank Rosenblatt said.

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The lawyer noted that King was charged with fourteen counts.

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“He pleads guilty to five of them, including desertion,” Rosenblatt said, as quoted by CNN.

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The lawyer added that the court hearing is scheduled for September 20.

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On July 18 last year, the US Department of Defense confirmed that soldier Travis King, who served in the American contingent in South Korea, voluntarily crossed into the territory of the DPRK. He was returned to the US at the end of September.

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Media reported that King was depressed due to the death of his brother and punishment for his involvement in a number of incidents while serving in South Korea. It is noted that King’s mother in a statement asked that her son be given the presumption of innocence. She also added that the US military promised to investigate what happened at the Camp Humphreys base in South Korea, where King served, to find out the possible reasons why King fled to the DPRK.