Fifteen year’s in a North Korean prison with hard labor is the future for American tourist, Otto Warmbier, the 21-year-old University of Virginia undergrad, convicted of subversion. The trial in the North Korean Supreme Court only took an hour to convict and sentence.
The college student was first tried in the media, where he was forced to confess, through tears, that he had attempted to steal a banner. The North Korean government said he committed “an anti-state crime with ‘the tacit connivance of the U.S. government and under its manipulation,'” yet it is difficult to see how the United States was connected with this petty crime.
Warmbeir begged for forgiveness for this alleged ‘hostile act’, saying that his attempted theft was to bring home a trophy from the hotel in which he was staying. Yanggakdo International Hotel, like many hotels in North Korea has areas off-limits to foreigners. It was in this part of the hotel that Warmbeir attempted to lift the banner.
Follow up on the rest of the story on the next page.
I guess you’re not into the whole Democratic Socialism thing at all then Joshua.
I understand North Korea is just GORGEOUS this time of year…
I’ve always voted a split ticket myself.
He’s a 21 year old kid. Kids that age do stupid things. In the USA, he might have had a slap on the wrist for this. The sentence is extreme. And because he is American, I’m sure that was part of it as well. My heart goes out to this young man. And I am praying for his safety and protection m I think he’s learned his lesson, so it is still a sentence that doesn’t fit the “crime.” The watering down in public schools and colleges contribute to young people not fully comprehending nor appreciating the freedoms we take for granted here. My question is… WHAT the heck was he even doing there?? I thought it was very difficult to even get into. He didn’t commit murder or a serious felony here. He was being a dumb kid making mistakes. Punishment- sure. Public service or even perhaps a few months. But 15 years? No. I worry for this kid’s safety. He’s about the same age as my two. And I cannot imagine what his mom must be feeling right now. Jail there isn’t like here. If he was a terrorist traitor or something, then whatever… but that isn’t the case.
He needs prayers. Not condemnation. Believe me… He IS sorry, and unfortunately as an American will be treated far worse than they treat their own. Very sad. 🙁
Well guess what he broke the law.what in the$#%&!@*do you expect they hate us he had no business over there and he stoled.if you do the crime you got a do the time.
Didnt he watch the movie “The Interview?”
There’s no such thing as 15 years hard labor in a North Korean prison. You don’t live that long.
When Trump is in charge (one way or another) things will be different.
A well educated college crybaby ,don`t they know you don`t$#%&!@*around in serious countries.
Why josh??? He broke their law not our problem.if you do the crime you got to do the time.pretty simple.