The other American soldiers who defected to North Korea and came to regret it
Past defectors fled punishment similar to recent border-crosser Travis King, and their fates may reflect on his
Joe Dresnok, an American soldier who defected to North Korea, in Pyongyang | Image: Koryo Tours
Travis King made headlines across the world on Tuesday as he sprinted across the border into North Korea during a tour of Panmunjom.
But King, a private second class in the U.S. military, is far from the first American soldier to voluntarily cross over into North Korea. There have already been five or potentially six U.S. military defections, the most famous of those being James Joseph Dresnok and Charles Robert Jenkins.
Travis King made headlines across the world on Tuesday as he sprinted across the border into North Korea during a tour of Panmunjom.
But King, a private second class in the U.S. military, is far from the first American soldier to voluntarily cross over into North Korea. There have already been five or potentially six U.S. military defections, the most famous of those being James Joseph Dresnok and Charles Robert Jenkins.
Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for
commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
