Charles Robert Jenkins
Charles Robert Jenkins (February 18, 1940 – 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.
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/CharlesJenkinsJI1.jpg/200px-CharlesJenkinsJI1.jpg)
On November 3, Jenkins pleaded guilty to charges of desertion and aiding the enemy, but denied making disloyal or seditious statements – 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]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Deserter Recalls N. Korean Hell". CBS News. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
- ↑ "Jenkins gets permanent residency". The Japan Times. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2009-09-26.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Charles Jenkins, husband of Japanese ex-abductee to North Korea Hitomi Soga, dies at 77". The Japan Times Online. 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017.