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Charles Robert Jenkins
United States Army soldier / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles Robert Jenkins (February 18, 1940 ā December 11, 2017) was a former United States Army soldier. He lived in North Korea from 1965 to 2004 after deserting from his unit and crossing the Korean Demilitarized Zone.[1] He was born in Rich Square, North Carolina.
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On November 3, Jenkins pleaded guilty to charges of desertion and aiding the enemy, but denied making disloyal or seditious statements ā the latter charges were dropped. He was sentenced to 30 days' confinement, received a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and benefits and was reduced in rank to E-1 private (the lowest rank in the US Army). He was released six days early, on November 27, 2004, for good behavior.[1]
On July 15, 2008, Jenkins obtained permanent residency status in Japan, just half a month after he applied for the status.[2]
Jenkins died in Sado, Niigata on December 11, 2017 of heart failure, aged 77.[3]