This is extremely sad. North Korea is such a danger to the world.
Is there a link you intended to add?
Maybe I should have but the story broke this morning and is all over the news. Allegedly the student was caught stealing a poster at a hotel.
Sad, just terrible…
No doubt our gov’t is negotiating quietly to secure his return. It would probably put less pressure on NKorea to save face, if the press would just shut up already.
Not the brightest kid if you ask me… stealing something in North Korea, are you freaking serious?! He had to have known that they are notorious for searching every square inch of your bags before leaving the country, including going through internet browsing history, pictures, etc.
Regardless, the punishment is total joke for something so trivial.
So do you think that in his statement where he blamed United States administration was made under duress?
This is so horrible, the poor kid and family.
The video of him shuffling out of the court room with guards holding him from each side is disturbing. His head is bobbing and feet flopping. So sad for his family, but seems from the circumstances possible that he had been recruited for covert operations.
North Korea is known for lies and false accusation. Don’t jump into conclusion just because they said that person stole something.
Why would anybody think he actually stole something?
My heart goes out to this poor kid and his family. I just can’t even imagine.
Heartbreaking. I would never underwrite a trip for one of my children to travel to North Korea. I take the Department of State’s travel warnings seriously. If they say a particular country is not safe for American citizens, I am going to believe them.
Beyond foolish to even go to North Korea.
Agree. It isn’t like in the movies where the handsome hero gets away from the villains.
I feel terrible for the poor kid. But as @TatinG said above, you have to be seriously insane to go to N Korea for any reason whatsoever. Before going, it would safer to assume that you’ll probably be staying for 10-15 years than coming home on time.
Agree with all those who think that going to NKorea is not wise.
For better or worse, too many American youth are sheltered, so don’t realize just how much awfulness there is in the world (or that it could happen to them if they put themselves in to certain situations).
You would think a 21-year-old UVa student would be a little more aware of how terrible an idea it would be to visit North Korea.
Perhaps an aircraft carrier group should be sent. I believe the USS Ronald Reagan is in Japan.
Do you mean that you think he was working undercover for the US government?