Warmbier death: Trump pressed to ban travel to North Korea; military strike not viable option yet
By Lee Han-soo
Following Otto Warmbier’s death, Americans are boiling with anger over what they described as the North Korean regime’s “brutality” to foreigners held captive there. The U.S. government faces increasing pressure to take a tougher stance on the reclusive state, while chances of settling issues through dialogue are dimming.
Some people have proposed a military strike, but most are demanding the government take non-violent measures first and iron out the trouble through a diplomatic solution.
The Korea Times has compiled the quotes of influential people in U.S. politics and the media to see the trend of opinions that could affect U.S. policy toward North Korea.
U.S. President Donald Trump (White House statement):
“Otto’s fate deepens my administration’s determination to prevent such tragedies from befalling innocent people at the hands of regimes that do not respect the rule of law or basic human decency.
“The United States once again condemns the brutality of the North Korean regime as we mourn its latest victim.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (U.S. State Department statement):
"We hold North Korea accountable for Otto Warmbier’s unjust imprisonment, and demand the release of three other Americans who have been illegally detained.
“We have been evaluating whether we should put some type of travel visa restriction on North Korea.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (Interview with MSNBC):
"Should there be a travel ban for U.S. citizens going there relative to this? That's something we're looking at."
Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce (Foreign Affairs Committee statement):
"Travel propaganda lures far too many people to North Korea. This is a regime that regularly kidnaps foreign citizens and keeps 120,000 North Koreans in barbaric gulags. The United States should ban tourist travel to North Korea."
North Korea expert and former Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson (Interview with the New York Times):
“I believe it’s going to set back any serious discussion about a diplomatic dialogue until this is cleared up.
“I think the first objective has to be to get the three other Americans out, and get a full explanation of what happened to Otto Warmbier.”
U.S. Representative for California Adam Schiff (Official press statement):
“The North Korean regime has shown once again that it is perfectly willing to treat Americans who visit their nation as hostages to extract concessions from the United States, and to put their lives in danger.”
Harry J. Kazianis (Fox News opinion):
“President Trump should submit a bill to Congress … In the bill, he should codify that no U.S. citizen should be allowed to travel to North Korea -- under any circumstances whatsoever.
The president should demand the immediate release of all other Americans that are still trapped in North Korea."
President Trump should declare talks with North Korea but, explaining that until North Korea gives a full and accurate accounting of what happened to Otto Warmbier, they will be sitting alone at the negotiating table.”
Carla Hall (Los Angeles Times opinion):
“Three Americans remain imprisoned in North Korea. If Kim Jong-un wants any connection to the rest of the world -- beyond China -- he should strongly consider releasing them immediately.”
Most opinion coincides with a USA Today survey that showed 69 percent of Americans opting for diplomacy in dealing with North Korea, while only 23 percent called for military action. Eight percent said they were uncertain about what action the U.S. should take.
Meanwhile, Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student, died Monday just six days after he arrived at his home in Ohio following 17 months of detention in North Korea for taking down a propaganda sign in a hotel. He was in a coma when the North Koreans released him.