Detained in North Korea: He Died Because Officials Accused Him of Stealing a Propaganda Poster

Otto Warmbier was no ordinary guy. He attended The University of Virginia studying commerce and economics planning his future career as an investment broker. He was good-looking, friendly, athletic, and well-liked by those who met him. Otto felt trapped in books and study and yearned for adventure. As they say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

A Trip to North Korea

Otto found the perfect cure for his need for adventure: a trip to North Korea. He’d spend the next semester studying in Hong Kong. What better way to prepare than with a week's vacation in North Korea? Though his parents and the U.S. State Department advised against traveling to the country, Otto felt confident enough to book a five-day, four-night trip with a company called Young Pioneers. The company advertised as “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stay away from,” and offered the North Korea trip as part of their “New Year’s Party Tour” group tour package.

In late December 2016, the group boarded a plane and headed to Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korean officials were skeptical of the group from the second they arrived at the airport, immediately confiscating their smartphones and cameras to search them for any material that might be considered offensive to the government or country.

The group passed through the airport, eventually making their way to their hotel, a grand place complete with rooms, bowling, a bar and restaurant, and more. The hotel was often called the “Alcatraz of Fun” and sat off a tiny island.

The first couple of days in North Korea were seemingly normal. Then, after the group attended a scheduled New Year’s Eve party, they returned to the hotel. Some went to their rooms, others had a little fun at the hotel’s other attractions. Otto’s roommate, Danny Gratton, bowled a while before returning to his room at 4:30 a.m. seeing Otto fast asleep in his bed.

Propaganda Posted Ripped From the Walls

Around the same time, hotel officials watched grainy CCTV footage of an unknown male ripping down a propaganda poster from the wall in a restricted area of the hotel. Although Gratton knew his roommate was fast asleep at the time, officials blamed Warmbier for tearing down the poster.

On January 2, 2016, the group waited in line at the airport to leave Pyongyang on a plane to China, authorities tapped on Warmbier’s shoulder and led him away from the group. No one from the travel group saw Warmbier again and his family had no idea why he did not return home until late January when the North Korean government confirmed his arrest.

Otto Sentenced to Hard Labor in North Korea

A month later, Otto’s parents watched their son sobbing on television as North Korean police officials stood near, saying he regretted his actions and had taken the propaganda poster as a” trophy” for a Methodist church in his hometown to “harm the work ethic and motivation of the Korean people.” He stated how much he wanted to go home to America. He apologized to the North Korean government and thanked him for the opportunity to express his regret.

"I never, never should have allowed myself to be lured by the United States administration to commit a crime in this country, I wish that the United States administration never manipulate people like myself in the future to commit crimes against foreign countries. I entirely beg you, the people and government of the DPRK, for your forgiveness. Please! I made the worst mistake of my life!"

His family and many others who saw the broadcast suspected someone forced Otto to make the statement. He wasn’t Methodist, and his roommate confirmed Otto was fast asleep when the poster was allegedly removed.

Otto was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for crimes against the state. He spent just over a year in North Korea before officials worked a deal for his return to the States.

Otto Returned Home

He returned home in a horrific state in June 2017. North Korean officials claimed Otto slipped into a coma days after his March 2016 trial and had never attended their labor camp. Officials claimed that Otto had taken a sleeping pill, developed botulism, and fell into a coma. He also suffered an unknown brain injury sometime during that year.

Otto could not speak but was in a “state of unresponsive wakefulness.” according to his doctor. He confirmed Otto suffered from traumatic brain trauma. He remained in the hospital for a week until he passed away on June 19, 2017.

North Korean Government the “Biggest Victim” in Otto’s Death

A medical examination did not find any signs of a beating but did state that he fell into a coma after suffering from a lack of blood and oxygen to his brain, possibly caused by cardiopulmonary arrest. Fred and Cindy Warmbier, Otto’s parents, maintain the belief that their son was tortured while in North Korea.

North Korea’s official news agency said it was the “biggest victim” in Otto Warmbeir’s death, insisting the accusations of mistreatment against the prisoner were a smear campaign orchestrated by the U.S. with help from Soth Korea.

The truth surrounding Otto Warmbier’s tragic death may never come to light, nor will anyone ever know exactly what he experienced while a prisoner in North Korea.

Resources:

https://www.voanews.com/a/court-papers-hint-at-otto-warmbiers-treatment-in-north-korea/4631497.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/19/us/otto-warmbier-north-korea-dies.html