Travis King fled across the border from South Korea into the North in July last year, avoiding a return to the United States and likely disciplinary action.

U.S. Army Private Travis King, who last year ran into North Korea and was taken into custody there, was sentenced on Friday to one year of confinement then freed based on time already served, his lawyer said in a statement.

After accepting the plea deal, the judge sentenced King to one year of confinement, however, because of the time he has already served in pre-trial confinement and credit for good behavior, King is free.