Travis King, 24, was being detained in South Korea over assault allegations but fled across the fortified zone in July last year - after joining a civilian tour of the border area

The US soldier who ran across the border from South to North Korea last year was sentenced Friday to one year in confinement and dishonorable discharge after pleading guilty to charges of desertion and assault.

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.