Should Defector to N Korea Face Charges after 40yrs?

Charles Jenkins deserted from the US army in 1965 when he crossed the DMZ into North Korea where he has been living ever since. No espionage was involved, he was simply looking for a better life. (No, really) The fact that he went looking for it in N Korea should attest to his level of intelligence. His North Korean wife (kidnapped from Japan) was repatriated but a reunion was delayed due to the US expressed intent to prosecute.Jenkins and Family Reunited

The guy made an incredibly stupid life altering decison over 40 years ago. Can't the US just drop this? Nobody was hurt, no state secrets revealed. Can they not just strip him of his citizenship and promise not to extradite him? Even as an elite, 40 years in N Korea must have been sheer hell.

Let the old bugger spend his few remaining years with his family without the threat of extradition hanging over him.

he should be prosecuted. its not just about him, its about the precedent and example he would set. prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.

also if he deserted the us army and went over to the enemy i have even less pity on him. he deserves the worst if thats what he did.

there's another thread dealing with this, check it out:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

-koji K.