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| Otto Warmbier, U.S. Student Held in North Korea, Apologizes for Taking Banner at Hotel | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| SEOUL, South Korea — An American student detained in North Korea appeared in a government-arranged news conference in Pyongyang, the capital, on Monday, apologizing for what the country called an antistate crime: trying to steal a political banner. | SEOUL, South Korea — An American student detained in North Korea appeared in a government-arranged news conference in Pyongyang, the capital, on Monday, apologizing for what the country called an antistate crime: trying to steal a political banner. |
| The student, Otto F. Warmbier, an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, was detained in North Korea in January while visiting the country on a tourist visa. While announcing his arrest, the state news media reported last month that Mr. Warmbier entered the country with the intent of “bringing down the foundation of its single-minded unity.” | The student, Otto F. Warmbier, an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, was detained in North Korea in January while visiting the country on a tourist visa. While announcing his arrest, the state news media reported last month that Mr. Warmbier entered the country with the intent of “bringing down the foundation of its single-minded unity.” |
| “I made the worst mistake of my life,” said Mr. Warmbier, sobbing and pleading for his release, according to video clips posted on Twitter by Will Ripley, a CNN reporter who covered the news conference, held at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang. | “I made the worst mistake of my life,” said Mr. Warmbier, sobbing and pleading for his release, according to video clips posted on Twitter by Will Ripley, a CNN reporter who covered the news conference, held at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang. |
| Mr. Warmbier, 21, was accused of trying to steal a political banner hanging on the wall of the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang, where he was staying, early on Jan. 1, CNN said. The charges against him said he was encouraged to commit the “hostile act” by a member of an Ohio church, a secretive university organization and the C.I.A. | Mr. Warmbier, 21, was accused of trying to steal a political banner hanging on the wall of the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang, where he was staying, early on Jan. 1, CNN said. The charges against him said he was encouraged to commit the “hostile act” by a member of an Ohio church, a secretive university organization and the C.I.A. |
| Mr. Warmbier said he tried to take the banner as a trophy for a church that offered to pay him for it, according to The Associated Press, which also covered the news conference. | Mr. Warmbier said he tried to take the banner as a trophy for a church that offered to pay him for it, according to The Associated Press, which also covered the news conference. |
| “I apologize to each and every one of the millions of the Korean people, and I beg that you see how I was used and manipulated,” Mr. Warmbier said, according to CNN. He added, “I was used by the United States administration like many before.” | “I apologize to each and every one of the millions of the Korean people, and I beg that you see how I was used and manipulated,” Mr. Warmbier said, according to CNN. He added, “I was used by the United States administration like many before.” |
| It remained unclear whether Mr. Warmbier was coerced to appear at the news conference and apologize. CNN said the student appeared to be reading from a statement. | It remained unclear whether Mr. Warmbier was coerced to appear at the news conference and apologize. CNN said the student appeared to be reading from a statement. |
| His news conference came as the United States was trying to win support at the United Nations Security Council for a resolution calling for tough sanctions against the country for its recent nuclear test and rocket launch. | His news conference came as the United States was trying to win support at the United Nations Security Council for a resolution calling for tough sanctions against the country for its recent nuclear test and rocket launch. |
| Mr. Warmbier was detained on Jan. 2 as he was about to board a plane and leave the country, according to his tour agency, Young Pioneer Tours. | Mr. Warmbier was detained on Jan. 2 as he was about to board a plane and leave the country, according to his tour agency, Young Pioneer Tours. |
| North Korea has held several Americans in recent years, accusing them of illegal entry, spying, spreading Christian beliefs and other antistate crimes. One American was arrested and accused of leaving a Bible behind in his hotel. | North Korea has held several Americans in recent years, accusing them of illegal entry, spying, spreading Christian beliefs and other antistate crimes. One American was arrested and accused of leaving a Bible behind in his hotel. |