US Soldier Who Defected to North Korea Released After Serving Sentence: U.S. News & World Report

After nearly four decades in North Korea, US soldier Charles Jenkins is finally a free man. Jenkins, who deserted his post in South Korea in 1965 and crossed the border into North Korea, has been living in the reclusive country ever since.

In 2004, Jenkins was arrested by Japanese authorities while on a trip to Indonesia and extradited to the United States to face charges of desertion. He was sentenced to 25 days in prison and was dishonorably discharged from the Army. Despite the lenient sentence, Jenkins was devastated by the thought of leaving his wife, Hitomi Soga, and their two daughters behind in North Korea.

However, in a surprising turn of events, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pardoned Jenkins and allowed him to return to Japan to be reunited with his family. After years of separation, Jenkins finally embraced his wife and daughters at the US military base in Japan, tears streaming down his face.

The emotional reunion was captured by news cameras, with Jenkins expressing his gratitude to Kim Jong-un for allowing him to leave North Korea after so many years. Despite his past actions, Jenkins expressed remorse for deserting his post and thanked the US government for their efforts to secure his release.

Jenkins’ story is a reminder of the complexities of war and the toll it takes on individuals and their families. After decades of living in isolation, he is finally free to start a new chapter in his life with his loved ones by his side.