Alleged deserter returns to Army after 39 years in North Korea

Alleged deserter returns to Army after 39 years in North Korea

By: Maj. James Bell

CAMP ZAMA, Japan — Thirty-nine years after Sgt. Charles R. Jenkins allegedly left his last active-duty post in South Korea’s demilitarized zone for life in communist North Korea, he voluntarily returned to U.S. control by reporting to the provost marshal at Camp Zama, Japan.

Since arriving in Japan in July, Jenkins had been staying at the Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital under the care of Japanese medical personnel.

In accepting Jenkins’ surrender, Lt. Col. Paul Nigara, Camp Zama’s provost marshal, assured Jenkins that he and his family would be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Jenkins, 64, was escorted into the military police headquarters, along with his wife and two adult daughters. He was issued a military identification card, military uniforms and a cash advance on his re-instated monthly military pay, which comes to about $3,300 per month.

Legal proceedings against Jenkins are scheduled to start immediately, according to officials. Jenkins could face a number of charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including desertion, soliciting others to desert, aiding the enemy and encouraging disloyalty. The maximum penalty among those charges is life in prison.

Capt. James Culp, an experienced trial lawyer with Trial Defense Services in South Korea, has been assigned as Jenkins’ defense counsel in the proceedings.

“He’ll be treated with dignity and fairness, and he’s innocent until proven guilty,” said Maj. John Amberg, U.S. Army Japan’s director of Public Affairs, during a press conference following Jenkins’ return to U.S. custody.

More than 170 news media representatives observed Jenkins’ return to U.S. Army jurisdiction.

Jenkins has been assigned administrative duties at the Headquarters and Headquarters Company on Camp Zama.