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Version 3 Version 4
North Korea Says It’s Holding U.S. Student for ‘Hostile Act’ North Korea Says It’s Holding U.S. Student for ‘Hostile Act’
(about 7 hours later)
HONG KONG — North Korean state news media said Friday that a university student from the United States who had entered the country as a tourist was being held for “a hostile act.” HONG KONG — North Korean state news media said Friday that a university student from the United States who had entered the country as a tourist was being held for “a hostile act.”
The student, Otto Frederick Warmbier of the University of Virginia, was accused of entering North Korea with the intent of “bringing down the foundation of its single-minded unity,” according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency. The student, Otto F. Warmbier of the University of Virginia, was accused of entering North Korea with the intent of “bringing down the foundation of its single-minded unity,” according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
Mr. Warmbier, who is from Cincinnati, is a third-year student studying economics with a minor in global sustainability, according to LinkedIn.Mr. Warmbier, who is from Cincinnati, is a third-year student studying economics with a minor in global sustainability, according to LinkedIn.
A classmate said that Mr. Warmbier is an honors student, a member of the university’s selective Echols Scholars Program and a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity; he is also involved in several investment clubs on campus. A classmate said Mr. Warmbier was an honors student, a member of the university’s selective Echols Scholars Program and a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.
Young Pioneer Tours, a China-based company that operates tours to North Korea, said in a written statement that one of its clients, identified as “Otto,” was being detained in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. Young Pioneer Tours, a China-based company that operates tours to North Korea, said in a statement that one of its clients, identified as “Otto,” was being detained in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The company said that his family had been informed and that the company was in contact with the State Department and the Swedish Embassy, which provides services for Americans in North Korea.
The company said that his family had been informed and that the company was in contact with the State Department and the Swedish Embassy, which provides services for American citizens in North Korea. The exact timing of Mr. Warmbier’s detention is unknown, but it appears to have occurred several days ago.
The exact timing of Mr. Warmbier’s detention is unknown, but it appears to have occured several days ago. In the past, Americans have been detained in North Korea for engaging in activities that the regime declared subversive because they were of a political or religious nature. But the classmate described Mr. Warmbier as neither actively religious nor political, though a picture on Facebook shows him attending a climate protest in New York in 2014.
In the past, Americans have been detained in North Korea for engaging in activities that the regime declared subversive because they were of a political or religious nature. But the classmate described Mr. Warmbier as neither actively religious nor political, though a photograph on Facebook shows him attending a climate protest in New York in 2014.
Other photos on Mr. Warbier’s Facebook page, include one of him behind the wheel of a classic American convertible taken in Havana last year. Another, in which he poses beside a cow, includes the caption: “One picture that captures my compassion for animals, worldly travels, and designer sunglasses.”
Mark Toner, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, said Friday: “We are aware of media reports that a U.S. citizen was detained in North Korea. The welfare of U.S. citizens is one of the Department’s highest priorities. In cases where U.S. citizens are reported detained in North Korea, we work closely with the Swedish Embassy, which serves as the United States’ Protecting Power in North Korea.”Mark Toner, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, said Friday: “We are aware of media reports that a U.S. citizen was detained in North Korea. The welfare of U.S. citizens is one of the Department’s highest priorities. In cases where U.S. citizens are reported detained in North Korea, we work closely with the Swedish Embassy, which serves as the United States’ Protecting Power in North Korea.”
Gov. John Kasich, of Ohio, a Republican running for president, released a statement saying, “North Korea’s arrest of an Ohio college student is inexcusable and he should be released and returned immediately.” Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican running for president, released a statement saying, “North Korea’s arrest of an Ohio college student is inexcusable and he should be released and returned immediately.”
North Korea is holding at least two other Westerners.
The Rev. Lim Hyeon-soo, 60, a South Korean-born Canadian minister, was sentenced to hard labor for life by North Korea’s Supreme Court in December for “subversive plots” against North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-un.
This month, CNN broadcast an interview it had conducted at a Pyongyang hotel with Kim Dong-chul, 62, who claimed to be a naturalized American citizen. The North Korean authorities have accused him of spying for South Korea. The State Department has not commented on his case.