North Korean Regime Involved With Otto Sentencing
The case of Otto Warmbier is an all too familiar tale of a young man, of only 21 and from a relatively small American city of Cincinnati, Ohio, who’s life is suddenly, and prematurely, taken away in the blink of an eye courtesy of the North Korean regime.
From January 2016, until his release in June the same year, Otto was held as a prisoner in North Korea after the government there accused him of attempting to steal a political banner from his hotel. For this, he was sentenced to 15 years hard labor, with no chance of parole. His parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, later found out the sentence was carried out on their son despite the fact that he was in a coma for the entirety of his captivity.
The dramatic story of Otto’s arrest, trial and return to the USA, is likely to live long in public memory and something which North Korea’s government has been keen to suppress. Evidence collected by US government officials, who were able to speak with North Korean personnel and members of the US Department of State indicate that Otto’s initial detention was politically motivated and the punishment far-reaching and disproportionate.
It is the belief of many commentators, legal experts and Otto’s family that the North Korean regime took action against Otto to stop any other US citizens from exploring or even visiting the country in future. From the various accounts given by those associated with the case and from the opinion of many independent, international legal experts, the signs all point to a government backed attempt to, essentially, terrify future travellers in to thinking twice about venturing in to the country.
It is a sad epilogue to the story, but many have sought to take some positivity from the tragedy. Fred and Cindy have set up a memorial foundation in Otto’s honor where donations are kindly accepted for a variety of good causes. This small show of defiance has gone some way to put North Korea’s actions in to greater perspective.
Effects of North Korea’s Actions
Otto Warmbier’s story is just one of the many terrifying tales of North Korea’s human rights abuses. However, it is one of the more high profile cases in recent memory and one that has certainly put a dent in the trust between North Korea and many other countries. The North Korean government has been accused of torturing their prisoners and violating international law in their treatment of both foreign and domestic personnel.
The unjustified morality and validity of North Korea’s actions in the case of Otto Warmbier can not be overstated. By punitively punishing a citizen of another country for a minor misdemeanor, the regime sends a message to the world that human rights norms and decency are a secondary priority for the North Korean government.
The effects of these events have been felt both domestically and overseas. For example, the role of the US and its leaders has been called in to question. Did Otto and the other detainees receive adequate protection from the US state department? Or, did the US government sit back, arms crossed, and let the North Korean government take advantage of their petty misdemeanors? These questions, unfortunately, may never be answered.
Domestically, the North Korean government’s actions have done little to endear them to their own populace. There have been reports, both in and out of North Korea, that there is a huge lack of trust and goodwill in the faces of the North Korean people. This is likely to be magnified by the actions taken by the regime with regards to Otto’s incarceration.
The chain of events that followed Otto’s episode sends a reverberating message to the world and paints an authoritative, belligerent tone from the North Korean government. Such is the only way to interpret the government’s behavior in the case of a 21 year old student who, by anyone’s standards, made a seemingly naive and relatively minor mistake.
International Response to North Korea’s Actions
On the international stage, the response to North Korea’s penchant for human rights abuses has been nothing short of damning. The UN Security Council has passed multiple resolutions imposing tough, economic sanctions against North Korea which has resulted in diplomatic ties between North Korea and many other countries, such as the US and South Korea, to be severed.
This, coupled with the reduction in investments and aid received from foreign powers, has forced the hands of the North Korean government who are now taking measures to improve their public image. This was evidenced late last year when they invited journalists to witness the dismantling of their nuclear test site in the east of the country.
Furthermore, there is a great deal of public outcry and discourse surrounding North Korea’s controversial leader. Aside from the many ‘business-as-usual’ demonstrations which have become commonplace across the world, particularly during the years of Donald Trump’s presidency, there have been some occasions where other leaders have voiced their criticism.
In particular, South Korean President Moon bemoaned the actions taken in the case of Otto as ‘unacceptable’, while former US president Barack Obama also commended on the ‘overwhelming sorrow’ he felt on hearing of Otto’s incarceration.
This rapid reaction from both domestic and international leaders was a representation of the feelings of many ordinary people, both closer to home and further afield, who were overwhelmed by the story of Otto’s detainment in one of the most secretive countries in the world.
Long-Term Impact of North Korea’s Actions
Of course, it is impossible to predict the long-term impact of North Korea’s extra-territorial ambitions but, if response from the international community is anything to go by, then it is fair to say certain governments have become wary of the intention of the North Korean government.
Elsewhere, both domestic and foreign companies have chosen to reduce the volume of investments in North Korea. This, coinciding with decreased aid from foreign powers, has resulted in a downscaling of the country’s economy.
For the individual, there has been a marked change in sentiment regarding North Korea and, whilst the majority of citizens who wish to visit the country are still privy to experiencing the country’s culture and histort, the episode of Otto has, unfortunately, discouraged some potential visitors.
A similar negative effect has been felt by those who may be considering sponsoring any form of business in North Korea. Company executives and investors who, in the past, have been willing to spend time and money exploring options for business in the country are now proceeding with far greater caution. More often than not, these individuals have chosen to look for a different spend for their resources.
Whilst it is certainly safe to assume that an entire eradication of interest from the international community is not likely, the episode of Otto has sharply reminded spectators of the serious implications which an attraction to North Korea, even in the most casual-of-terms, can have.
Otto Warmbier Memorial
Throughout the mourning of Otto’s parents, and the worldwide feeling of shock and horror, the Warmbier family chose to do something positive in the wake of the situation, and created a foundation in Otto’s name.
The foundation’s primary aims is to provide donations to those in need who may not have access to much support, be it financially or otherwise. Through this, individuals who fit this criteria can receive travelling scholarships, appeals and other various programs which can help vulnerable parties.
Aside from this, Fred and Cindy have also sought to create further scholarship programs for those in the creative arts, science and the performing arts, in the decision to ‘choose love over hatred’, going on to honor their son for the rest of their lives.
The ‘Otto Warmbier Memorial Foundation’, to which donations can be made on their website, has shown a side-versus-story to the political debacle which arose from Otto’s sentencing, and serves to create a distance between the actions of North Korea and the creation of something positive.
In the wake of events like this, it is always a wonderfully refreshing sight to see those under tragedy carving out a positive, and encouraging, chapter to their story.
Conclusion
The tragedy involving Otto Warmbier has, unfortunately, left its mark on the international stage, and serves to remind the world of the heinous actions of North Korea in punishing two kids for crimes which, in the public’s opinion, do not hold the gravity of a 15 year sentence.
Nevertheless, the Warmbier family have sought to part with the negative associations which their son’s case has created and have set-up a foundation, in Otto’s memory, to provide donations to those in need. It is this spirit of defiance against an oppressive regime which we can take from the story and from this, remind ourselves not to be defeated by the immorality but, instead, use it for our own good.
