iStock/Thinkstock(PYONGYANG, North Korea) — An American student has been detained by North Korea officials in Pyongyang, according to Young Pioneer Tours, the company with whom the student was travelling.
The student has been named by North Korea’s state-run news agency, KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) as Otto Frederick Warmbier.
Young Pioneer Tours confirmed Warmbier was detained on January 2, 2016.
A statement from Young Pioneer Tours says, “We can confirm that the reports that one of our clients is being detained in Pyongyang are true. Their family have been informed and we are in contact with the Swedish Embassy, (who act as the protecting interest for U.S citizens), who are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the case. We are also assisting the U.S Department of State closely with regards to the situation. In the meantime we would appreciate Otto’s and his family’s privacy being respected and we hope his release can be secured as soon as possible.”
The US State Department issued updated travel advice in November 2015, with strong recommendations against all travel by U.S. citizens to the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).
“Travel by U.S. citizens to North Korea is not routine, and U.S. citizens have been subject to arrest and long-term detention for actions that would not be cause for arrest in the United States or other countries.”
“Sweden is the protecting power for the US in North Korea. That means we support and look after the consular interests of US citizens here. However our secrecy when it comes to consular issues is absolute, we never comment on individual cases,” a statement from Mr August Borg, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden.
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