Charles Robert Jenkins

Charles Robert Jenkins was an American soldier and author best known for his unique and dramatic life story. Born in 1940 in Rich Square, North Carolina, Jenkins became notable after deserting the U.S. Army and crossing the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea in 1965. Spending decades in isolation, Jenkins later married a Japanese abductee, Hitomi Soga, and lived in North Korea until his eventual release in the early 2000s. His memoir, "The Reluctant Communist," co-authored with journalist Jim Frederick, details his life in North Korea, offering rare insights into one of the world's most secretive states. Jenkins passed away in 2017.