politics

Otto Warmbier's mom seeks to embarrass N Korea at symposium on human rights

38 Comments
By EDITH M. LEDERER

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38 Comments
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Poor family but this will make no difference

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Please let your son RIP it was already an embarassment!

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

As much as here is reasonable reason and cause.., and probably the right place and forum.., this may NOT be the time... and "to embarrass" is probably not a good tactic to get the proper recognition and future cooperation from any nation...

To state facts and to encourage change and to offer alternatives suitable for that country and people may be much more effective. After all.., much of what a government and its leaders do may not be what the people want or wish for... And at this particular stage... it puts the entire people of one country behind the rock and hard place, while their leadership is trying to reestablish a meaningful relationship with the world.

The world already knows about their abductions and the cruel treatment of detainees, thanks to the media and the constant reminders by activists. There has to be an opening and alternatives for change without further emotional stress for both sides. Rationally everyone knows, emotionally one builds a wall when arrows fly toward them. That wall needs open doors, not additional layers of defensive material and locks.

Trump already played the "tyrant" and "irrational bully" roles... KIm understood.. N Korea already knew.. it brought the kind of changes world had hoped for... so far... that must be played out first.

Embarrassment certainly does not help in creating a mutually beneficial dialog and change.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Its sad. But I'm sorry, we have to forge ahead with Summits - first with Trump, then with PM Abe and Kim-San. This is the way to open up North Korea, and create business opportunity (for example Shinkansen and airports, roads, car making) that will in long term provide big economic boost to Japan.The Kidnapped Japanese being held should be a more pressing issue,expected to be resolved with their release after PM Abe-Kim Summit.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

The tragedies of careless young adventurers and hapless Japanese coastal dwellers should neither be forgotten nor forgiven, but let us not forget that the greatest number of victims have been hapless North Koreans. Until the cause is removed, neither will be the results.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Puzzles me why she thinks that her saying these things will "embarrass" NK.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Shinkansen, airports and roads constructions that will boost Japan's economy? What!? That must have been a joke, right?

I guess I could understand those parents. They want revenge or at least justice for what was done to their son. What was done to him was an awful crime. He surely did not deserve the torture he went through resulting in his death.

But I agree with all previous posters in that there are other more pressing matters to attend. Sadly, this will be one terrible crime North Korea will get away with, at least for now.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Shinkansen, airports and roads constructions that will boost Japan's economy? What!? That must have been a joke, right?

No, it is NOT a joke. Japanese Contruction companys can bid to build infra in NK. Like many have in SE Asia for example. Airports and roads in Cambodia, Thai etc. Big Boost for Japanese Economy,to add to Abenomics Boost.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

I agree North Korea did a terrible thing, and it is so unfortunate that this young man paid such a high price. What really makes me angry is how ugly this family was towards President Obama and the US state department who did everything they could to help this family. They put all their faith in Trump.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

There’s no knowing whether her U.N. speech embarrassed the North Korean dictator or not, but Kim has been desperately trying to look good since the Winter Olympics in South Korea. US led sanctions are working and Kim’s options are limited.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Is it possible that the US government is trying to put a spanner in the works to prevent a peaceful settlement between the two Koreas? Is it possible that Moon suggested that Trump should get a Nobel prize in the hope that this would by appealing to his vanity prevent Trump from putting a spanner in the works?

"We're not special, but we're Americans and we know what freedom's like, and we have to stand up for this. We have to." Is it possible that a professional wrote this line to appeal to the right-wing news media?

Americans may know what freedom is like, but America does not hesitate to behave in a manner similar to North Korea when it comes to imprisoning people from other countries.

It is unfortunate that their son offended the North Korean regime and suffered, but many in Guantanamo are still suffering.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

North Korea is set to release 3 Americans held for years in prison camps before the summit so agreed this will have absolutely no effect. Hopefully of course there won't be a retaliatory action either.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Kim killed his brother, killed his uncle with an anti-aircraft gun has numerous "camps" holding thousands of people who are there because a relative said a distasteful thing about the regime. He's (Kim's) tolerance does not include embarrassment. What happened to this young man was peverted, taking a Poster off a wall? Tourture, Death?

But I seriously doubt he gives a flying hoot, about what anyone thinks. As mentioned above- advisory DONT GO THERE. They are brainwashed nut cases who will condem their own family at the drop of a hat.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I still think that Otto Warmbier didn't even steal that poster.

The motive given by the authorities at his inquest made no sense (something about him being given an automobile and a few thousand dollars -- things that would not be worth the risk for a citizen of a rich country but would impress the NK audience), and his own "confession" speech on NK television was clearly written by a non-native.

The poster did not seem to appear among his goods at the airport when leaving; he was pulled aside while waiting in line. (I've visited the DPRK, and they inspect your goods both on the way in and on the way out; you have to leave your cell phone with them for safekeeping. If they see anything suspicious, or any suspicious photos on your camera on the way out, they make you delete them.)

Amd most importantly, the person in the video appears to lift and hold the poster in too reverent a manner, like he's a North Korean who can't hide the way he has been unconsciously trained to treat anything related to the regime.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

And you have proof that he took the poster.....Oh!!!I am SO sorry, a Stalinist court proved he took a silly poster. My SINCEREST apologies.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

My apologies also for disbelieving the good 'ol DPRK now, just because they lied about virtually everything before. I AM sorry. I hope Kim and Rodman don't disrespect me. I AM SO SORRY!!!!(cue Warmbier tears and bows.....)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I cannot trust North Korea. We shall see...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I have met a Canadian and Australian here in Japan that has been to NK. The only Americans I have ever heard about going there were detained or Dennis Rodman.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

THe fact that his receives front page, top article treatment says more about Japan than it does about Warmbiers or NK. Trying to throw cold water. LOL. Talk about schadenfreude.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What happened is a sad thing. Nevertheless, why travel there in the first place?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

While he was foolish to go there in the first place, such folly does not justify the punishment he suffered.

The NK regime can be VERY sensitive to criticism or anything that will make them look bad, witness their treatment of their own people for the slightest disrespect. The Warmbier's are out side their control so are in a position to use that sensitivity against the regime that murdered their son. I can't really blame them, as to the summits et al it can only help as it may put the NK regime on a back foot.

It is the duty of every free citizen to stand against tyranny, and that is precisely that this family is doing. We should all be aplauding them and have the guts to do the same.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Trump meeting Kim may...MAY... be a good thing for East Asian temporary stability. But probably not. However, unfortunately when it comes to justice for Warmbier and the thousands of innocent North Koreans suffering under the steel boot of Kim and his sister, a Trump meeting with Kim looks to be as much a sell-out to a murderous Communist tyranny as Nixon with Mao, and Roosevelt/Churchill with Stalin.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The title is written to make her seem petty and like they deserved it for allowing him to go there despite the warnings not to. N Korea is a despotic regime that commits human rights violations that the posters of this site would have a roman holiday over if the US or Japan did anything remotely close.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Embarrass?

Too late. Kim Jong's a 'good' guy now.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A worrying number of victim-blaming comments here. Plants?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm sorry, I have a difficult time sympathizing with anyone traveling to NK as a tourist. Like someone said above, Americans are detained all the time.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Laguna

"The tragedies of careless young adventurers and hapless Japanese coastal dwellers..."

There is a really important difference between choosing to visit an international pariah, thus subjecting yourself to its laws, and being kidnapped by a hostile power in your own town.

One is victim.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm really sorry for Otto Warmbier' mother. I understand how much she has been suffering from losing his her beloved son Otto Warmbier in this way.

Otto Warmbier was not tough kid. He was crying uncontrollable and apologizing for his crime and asking for forgiven from the Judges at court. The poor kid was underestimated the N. Korean zero tolerates rules for the prank that kind of prank will be laughing matter in America or Western countries but it’s not laughing matter in N. Korea. The stealing the Government property and taken out N. The Korean Government propaganda poster is a serious crime.

You have to obey the law of the country when you visit there. If you have broken the law of the country and committed a crime and then you will be prosecuted by the law enforcement.

Otto Warmbier should have asked the tour guide for where he can get one likes that poster if he wanted to bring it back to US as a souvenir. I believe he may have done it as a joke or prank like in America and he did expect it was a crime in his mind when he did it.

Otto Warmbier’s tragedy was lesson for all American kids who are planning to go overseas Holiday regardless of Communist country or Socialist country or Capitalist country. You must follow the rule and obey the law.  

You have to aware of some countries have capital punishment and some countries have caning punishment. Also the Prison and Jail are not cozy like the Prison and Jail from the Developed Countries. The Prison food quality is very bad and poorly prepared, even the dog won’t eat it. It looks like “Hell” than Prison. If you do not want to sleep like human Cockroaches in the crowded small and smelling cell and then you have to behave while you’re in overseas holiday.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

You gotta obey the law of the country you are in....yeah, an obvious truism. But you don't gotta like it. Otto, and North Koreans. Poor souls. Too bad North Koreans aren't able, yet, to enjoy the superior, closer to Reason/God/Truth/Natural Law benefits of the MagnaCarta-British Common Law-French Civil Law-American Constitution-style laws that most non-Moslem, non-Communist states in their more advanced-Civilizational ways now enjoy.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

why this anger for them? why did he try steal that poster in that place/hotel as he been accused for?. if you go to a foreign country you shall behave by the rules and custom they have there. not do silly things as stealing a simple poster shows you really been there. im sorry about his lost of life and death. i appologize to his family of this accident but they knows as well as me younger people dont think same as us thats older, from ALL my heart i fells sorry what happend but nothing no one can change to makes that back. as life is a hard lession we all needs learn and do what best for everybody, do accept my great wishes the lost his death. i feel with you all

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Many tourists and journalists have visited North Korea and have safely returned, yet Otto Warmbier did not.

Why was that?

Well, as an American (especially) any transgression in the DPRK would be punished. The ‘sightseeing’ experience in North Korea is based on the US aggression undertaken where the US dropped many thousands of bombs, destroying many thousands of homes,hospitals,schools and government buildings.

Mr Warmbier, more than most, must have been acutely aware of this.

Otto Warmbier’s confession of theft on state tv and his pleas for forgiveness were distressing to watch.

However, why attempt such a foolish act knowing the history of North Korea?

His ignorance and stupidity led to his brutal treatment - unjust and heartbreaking for sure but preventable .......

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"We are trying to build a pathway that leads directly to Kim and his regime to force them to be answerable for their actions," 

The problem with the is that NK has been terrorizing its own citizens for decades, and the Warmbiers were not only not bothered by that, but their son was happy to holiday there, providing support to that very regime so they could continue to terrorize their citizens.

Of course the didn't deserve the terrible things that happened to them, but I would hope they would show greater willingness to recognize their complicity in it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Embarrass Kim's government? That ship has sailed lady. You constantly bringing this up will just shed light to your son's attempted petty crime, which many in the interwebs already mock as to how stupid it was.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

But Trump said that Kim's an honorable man.

Terrible what happened to this young man. Yes, he was foolish to go there in the first place, but to be brutalized like that. Death would have been kinder than letting him suffer as a vegetable after Lord knows what his tormentors put him through. I also believe that the grainy image of the guy pulling down a NK flag in that hotel was a set up.

All the more reason to question Trump's judgment when he makes a BS statement about a dictator like Kim Jong Un being an honorable person.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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