Donald Trump condemns North Korea's 'brutality' after US student Otto Warmbier dies
DONALD Trump has condemned “the brutality of the North Korea regime” after its former prisoner and US student Otto Warmbier died earlier today.
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The 22-year-old, who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months, was returned to his family in a coma last week after being released by Kim Jong-un's officials for “humanitarian reasons”.
The President said: “Melania and I offer our deepest condolences to the family of Otto Warmbier on his untimely passing.
“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.”
Mr Warmbier had been sentenced to 15 years hard labour by the brutal Kim Jong-un regime in March last year.
Otto Warmbier was accused of trying to a steal a flag from North Korea
Otto Warmbier's emotional plea for forgiveness
The President said: “It’s a brutal regime and we’ll be able to handle it.”
He added: “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.”
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President Donald Trump had organised the release of Mr Warmbier from North Korea after a US official visited the student to examine if he was "in bad shape”.
Following secret meeting with the rogue state, the US finally managed to secure his release, the Washington Post reports.
Mr Trump said: “He spend a year and a half in North Korea and a lot of bad things happened but at least we got him home to be with his parents.
“They were so happy to see him even though he was in a very tough condition, but he just passed away.”
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Mr Warmbier’s family said in a statement: ”Unfortunately, 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.
“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 [7.20pm BST].
“It would be easy at a moment like this to focus on all that we lost – future time that won’t be spent with a warm, engaging, brilliant young man whose curiosity and enthusiasm for life knew no bounds.
Footage shows Otto Warmbier before his North Korean detention
The University of Virginia student was medically evacuated after a US State Department's special envoy to North Korea Joseph Yun travelled to Pyongyang and demanded the young man be released on "humanitarian grounds”.
Mr Warmbier was detained in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in March last year after the reclusive state accused him of trying to steal an item with a propaganda slogan.
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