Background information
Otto Warmbier, a United States citizen, was detained by North Korean authorities in January 2016, after being accused of stealing a political poster. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in March that same year, and after 17 months, was medically evacuated to the United States in a comatose state. On June 19, 2017, six days after his arrival to the United States, Warmbier passed away at age 22 due to severe neurological injuries.
Reaction To Otto’s Detention
The news of Warmbier’s detention erupted an international uproar, with many sources condeming North Korea for their inhuman practices. President Trump himself made a public statement regarding the situation, saying that “Nothing we can say, allows no one to be treated like that”. Trump also accused North Korea of detaining countless other Americans and Allies in a form of hostage situation.
Official North Korean Account
North Korean officials contend that Warmbier suddenly fell into a coma during his detainment, after contracting botulism and taking a sleeping pill. This contrasts heavily with the report of the American doctors who performed the autopsy, which found no evidence of botulism and cite the cause of death to be a lack of oxygen to the brain. A panel of doctors in the US expressed bewilderment at the results, leading to speculation regarding the North’s dealings with prisoners of war.
Repercussions Of Otto’s Death
The death of Otto Warmbier in 2017 served as a strong reminder of the injustices throughout the world, with many labelling the treatment of Warmbier by North Korean Authorities as “unspeakable”. This incident had a severe effect on diplomatic relations between the two countries, leading to much tension and distrust on both sides. It was later revealed that the Warmbier family had been working on a mission to retrieve the prisoner from North Korea, mainly through the help of a non-profit organisation.
Experts & International Community’s Perspective
Experts within the medical and humanitarian fields have labelled the treatment of Otto Warmbier as unacceptable, regardless of what actually happened to him. They also express concern for other prisoners in North Korean jails, accusing them of using similar methods to that of Warmbier’s detainment as punishment. The US Government seeks to impose sanctions on North Korea, to make sure that such events are no longer repeated.
Ethics and Rights Violations
North Korea in general is internationally criticised for their brutality against foreign detainees, with Warmbier’s case standing as a prime example for this. Most people are deeply disturbed at the news of his death, with many citing the situation as a violation of human rights and international law. Some have also called out to North Korea to address the issue of detaining war prisoners, suggesting changes in their practices in the near future.
International Negotiation Forges Ahead
Despite the hostile nature of the situation, international negotiators have made some progress in the area. Working with heavy pressure from the United Nations, North Korea has agreed to establish better conditions for prisoners of war, as well as guarantee more human rights within their region. Yet, as of now, there has been no official statement in regards to the Warmbier case, a testament to the strained diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
US Citizen’s Reciprocity
Otto Warmbier is not the only US citizen to have been detained by North Korea, with at least three people of American descent having been held as hostages. All of them faced extreme interrogations, including reports of abuse and medical neglect by North Korean Authorities. While two of them were released, the other three were eventually deported, but all of them arrived in the US in a severe physical state, according to their family and the US Government.
North Korean Human Rights Panel
Despite the lingering tensions between the US and North Korea, progress has been made in terms of human rights reform in North Korea. A North Korean Human Rights Panel was set up in the UN in 2014, in which both countries participate with some cooperation. The main goal of this panel is to monitor the North Korean government’s practices, and if necessary, appeal to the international community if they feel like war crimes have taken place.
US-DPRK Relations
In recent years, the relationship between the two countries, known as the US-DPRK relations, has improved. Conversations between the two countries have proliferated, with some speculating that an economic partnership may form in the near future, and both countries have expressed their desire for a stable diplomatic relationship, with the topic of human rights having been discussed in the recent talks.
North Korean War Crimes Investigations
The United Nations is currently investigating possible human rights violations in North Korea, and as pressure from international authorities increase, it may be possible to bring war criminals to justice. However, the future of such steps remain to be seen, as North Korean government remains largely resistant to foreign attempts of forcing reforms into their territory.
International Alliance’s Response
In response to the events, an international alliance of Red Cross societies has started to present North Korean authorities with the relevant documentation of these events and push for justice. The alliance is advocating for an independent and impartial investigation into war crimes committed by the North Korean government, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Sanction Impacts On North Korea
In the wake of these issues, sanctions have been placed on North Korea by multiple countries, owing to their continued ill practice. However, many experts cite that the large scale economic sanctions have weakened the North Korean economy but failed to cause the desired change in their practices. As a result, multiple calls to action have been proposed by many countries and organisations, in order to monitor and control the human rights abuses in North Korea.
