Detained former U.S. Sgt. Charles Jenkins may be released as early as Nov. 28, five days ahead of the scheduled end of his 30-day confinement term, U.S. Army sources in Japan said Saturday.
His release date is now set for Dec. 3. He was given the 30-day confinement and a dishonorable discharge from the military Nov. 3 for deserting to North Korea while serving near the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea almost 40 years ago.
According to the sources, it is likely that the U.S. military will apply a provision allowing prisoners to get out five or more days early for good behavior.
But they suggested it is unlikely he will be released from detention at the Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture before the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving this week.
Jenkins, 64, is married to Hitomi Soga, 45, a Japanese who had been abducted by North Korea. The couple have two North Korean-born daughters.
After his release, Jenkins and Soga, who returned to Japan in October 2002, plan to live with their daughters -- Mika, 21, and Brinda, 19 -- in Soga's hometown of Sado, Niigata Prefecture.
Jenkins was given the sentence at a trial held at the U.S. Army's Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture.
According to the ruling, Jenkins, from Rich Square, N.C., deserted around Jan. 5, 1965, "with intent to avoid hazardous duty, namely to take part in armed patrols to the Demilitarized Zone, and to avoid imminent military duty in Vietnam."
He married Soga in 1980, two years after she was kidnapped to North Korea.
