North Korea's state paper Korea Central New Agency reported on January 22 that they have detained a University of Virginia student identified as Otto Frederick Warmbier.
Warmbier's detainment was based on grounds of his alleged attempts to undermine the state. According to the Associated Press, Warmbier was engaged in a "hostile act against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," had visited North Korea with the "purpose of breaking down the foundation of the single-minded unity of the Korean people," and acted "under the connivance of the U.S. government."
Warmbier had traveled to North Korea with Young Pioneer Tours, a China-based travel company.
A Cincinnati native, Warmbier is said to be enrolled in University of Virginia as an economics major, and his Facebook profile indicates that he likes animals, traveling, and designer sunglasses.
Currently, a representative of Young Pioneer Tours is working with the U.S. State Department, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang in order to hopefully bring Warmbier safely back home.
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