President Donald Trump also commented on Warmbier's passing earlier today at the White House stating, "At least we got him home to be with his family".
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that the U.S. holds North Korea "accountable" for Warmbier's imprisonment, and demanded Pyongyang free three other Americans, all of them of Korean ancestry, now being held there. He was in a coma.
"The bad torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible", the family said in a statement announcing Warmbier's death.
"We would like to thank the wonderful professionals at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center who did everything they could for Otto", it read.
Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have previously visited North Korea in the past to negotiate the release of prisoners. He says the USA holds North Korea accountable for Warmbier's "unjust imprisonment" and demands the release of three other "illegally detained" Americans.
16 March 2016 - Mr Warmbier goes on trial in Pyongyang where he confesses to stealing a propaganda poster, and is sentenced to 15 years of hard labour.
The student died yesterday after being released from the hermit state in a coma with severe brain damage after 17 months in captivity.
The death is likely to exacerbate relations between the USA and North Korea, whose leader, Kim Jong-un, has threatened to attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons in recent months.
Other well-known North Korea tour operators, including Koryo Tours, founded by British expatriates in Beijing, and Uri Tours, with offices in New Jersey and Shanghai, said this week that they were "reviewing" their policies for American citizens ahead of a possible travel ban that has been mooted by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Dems hit secrecy of GOP health care bill, threaten delays
Senate Republicans are expected to ease some of its cuts to Medicaid, the health care program for the poor, and make other changes.
Their statement on Monday said he had looked uncomfortable and anguished after returning on June 13, but his countenance later changed.
"Countless innocent men and women have died at the hands of the North Korean criminals, but the singular case of Otto Warmbier touches the American heart like no other".
Senator Rob Portman, the Republican who represents Warmbier's home state of OH, said the student had "a bright future ahead of him".
A statement from the family on Monday said: "It is our sad duty to report that our son, Otto Warmbier, has completed his journey home".
North Korea accuses Washington and South Korea of sending spies to overthrow its government.
Medical tests carried out last week in the United States offered no conclusive evidence as to the cause of his neurological injuries, and no evidence of a prior botulism infection.
"He looked very uncomfortable - nearly anguished".
"He was peace. He was home, and we believe he could sense that", they said.
Comments