Otto Warmbier: Donald Trump leads condemnation of 'brutal' North Korea after imprisoned US student dies

Jonathan Mitchell20 June 2017

Donald Trump has led global condemnation of the “brutality” of the North Korea regime after a US student held there died just six days after being brought home in a coma.

Otto Warmbier had been serving 15 years hard labour in North Korea having been accused of stealing a propaganda sign from a hotel.

The 22-year-old was sent home 15 months into his sentence on “humanitarian grounds” on Tuesday, June 13, with the regime claiming he had contracted botulism and fell into a coma last year.

However, his family blamed the “awful torturous treatment” he allegedly suffered at the hands of North Korean officials when announcing his death on Monday.

Otto Warmbier cries while speaking to reporters in Pyongyang last year
AP

His death has sparked outrage from US politicians and past school friends, who also paid tribute to Mr Warmbier as a “kind, generous and promising” young man.

US President Donald Trump offered his condolences to his family, describing Mr Warmbier as the “latest victim” of North Korean brutality.

Fred and Cindy Warmbier said in statement on Monday: “It is our sad duty to report that our son, Otto Warmbier, has completed his journey home. Surrounded by his loving family, Otto died today at 2:20pm.

"The awful torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible beyond the sad one we experienced today.”

Mr Warmbier, an economics student from the University of Virginia, had travelled to North Korea as a tourist in December 2015.

He was arrested at Pyongyang International Airport days later after he tried to leave the country, with North Korea announcing it would be holding him for a “hostile act”.

During a trial in in March 2016, Mr Warmbier confessed to stealing the poster during a tearful news conference.

He said he was trying to take a sign from his hotel as a "trophy" for a US church, amid allegations he had been pressured into the confession by the brutal regime.

US President Donald Trump
Getty Images

A team of US doctors has disputed North Korea’s account of Mr Warmbier’s death.

A statement from Mr Trump read: “There is nothing more tragic for a parent than to lose a child in the prime of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Otto's family and friends and all who loved him.

“Otto's fate deepens my administration's determination to prevent such tragedies from befalling innocent people at the hands of regimes that do not respect the rule of law or basic human decency.

'The United States once again condemns the brutality of the North Korean regime as we mourn its latest victim.”

US Vice-President Mike Pence said his death served as a 'tragic example' of the country's 'disregard for human life.'

North Korean officials blamed Mr Warmbier’s condition on botulism - a severe form of food poisoning which they said he contracted while in their custody.

United States senator Rob Portman said: "He was kind, generous and accomplished.

“He had all the talent you could ever ask for and a bright future ahead of him. His passing today is a loss for Ohio and for all of us.

“Jane and I are lifting up the Warmbier family in our prayers at this difficult time, and we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of this remarkable young Ohioan."

Teresa Sullivan, president of the University of Virginia, said he will be "missed by all those who knew and loved him."

She added: "It is with great sadness that we learned of Otto’s passing this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family and friends during what has been an incredibly difficult time."

In an emotional blog post, high school classmate Sallee Ann Ruibal said: “I don't have the privilege either of having Otto as a best friend, brother or son. I can't imagine the weight that is on all of his loved ones. I'm not going to pretend to.

He was a person who deserved to be talked about in the same exuberant, personal way he talked about others. It saddens me that a terrible regime damaged an essential part of Otto — his brain.”

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