Monday, February 29, 2016

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Monday, February 29, 2016

Vol. 126, Issue 43

WARMBIER SEEN AFTER TWO MONTHS For first time since his detainment, third-year Commerce student confesses in North Korea press conference Tim Dodson News Editor

Third-year Commerce student Otto Frederick Warmbier confessed to stealing a political banner in a press conference in North Korea Sunday, according to CNN. CNN reports Warmbier held a press conference in Pyongyang “at his own request” and confessed to committing a “hostile act” against the state with the support of an Ohio church, the Z Society and the Central Intelligence Agency. It is unknown if Warmbier was coerced by the North Korean government into his confession. "I committed the crime of taking

down a political slogan from the staff holding area of the Yanggakdo International Hotel," Warmbier said. Warmbier apologized to the people of North Korea and said he is a victim of the United States’ “hostile” policies against North Korea. "My reward for my crime was so much smaller than the rewards that the Z Society and the Friendship United Methodist Church get from the United States Administration,” Warmbier said. CNN reports a North Korean official said Warmbier researched political slogans of the DPRK online prior to his trip and went into the second floor of the Yanggakdo International Hotel before 2 a.m. Jan. 1 in an attempt to steal a sign with a political

Courtesy Facebook

slogan. The sign was bigger than Warmbier anticipated and he was unable to take the sign. “The slogan was bigger than he had thought. So he couldn't take it away and turned it upside down and deserted [it] on the floor when he had pulled it from the hangers," the official told CNN. CNN reports Warmbier said he was manipulated by the U.S. government and begged for forgiveness from the DPRK. “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!” Warmbier said, according to CNN. A North Korean official told CNN the DPRK believes Warmbier was influenced by a member of Friendship United Methodist Church in his hometown of Wyoming, OH. The church member allegedly offered Warmbier a $10,000 used car if the took a political slogan from North Korea “to weaken the ideological unity and motivation of the North Koreans.” Church officials have told CNN Warmbier is not a church member. CNN also reports North Korea believes the Z Society offered Warmbier membership in exchange for carrying out a “mission” of taking a

political slogan. University officials are not offering comment at this time. “The University is aware of recent media reports and remains in close contact with Otto Warmbier’s family. We will have no further comment at this time,” University Spokesperson Matt Charles said in an email statement. Warmbier was on a trip with Young Pioneer Tours when he was detained at the Pyongyang Airport on Jan. 2. YPT CEO Gareth Johnson said the company declines to comment at this time. The Z Society did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Parents respond, haven’t spoken to son since detainment Third-year Commerce student Otto Warmbier’s family released a statement regarding Warmbier’s confession to a “hostile act” against the North Korean government on Sunday.

Fred and Cindy Warmbier, Otto Warmbier’s parents, said they have not heard from their son during his detainment in North Korea and they have only seen a few photographs of him. “He seems to be in good health, although we won't know for sure about his condition until we have a chance to speak with him,” the family said in a state-

ment. The family said the U.S. State Department and the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang have been working to try to secure Warmbier’s release and thanked them for their efforts. Their statements follow a press conference on Sunday allegedly arranged at Warmbier’s request in which Warmbier confessed

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to attempting to steal a political banner from his hotel in Pyongyang. It is unknown whether this confession was coerced. In his confession, Warmbier apologized for his alleged actions. “I hope the fact that he has conveyed his sincere apology for anything that he may have done wrong will now make it possible for the DPRK authorities to allow

LEAP DAY CROSSWORD PAGE 10

him to return home,” his parents said. “I urge the DPRK government to consider his youth and make an important humanitarian gesture by allowing him to return to his loved ones.” This is the first public statement from Warmbier’s family since his detainment on Jan. 2 at Pyongyang Airport.

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Monday, February 29, 2016 by The Cavalier Daily - Issuu