North Korea Releases University Of Virginia Student

(Updated 12:34 p.m. Tuesday) CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — A University of Virginia student detained for more than a year in North Korea has been released, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced Tuesday. Otto Warmbier was detained after attempting to take down a propaganda poster during a tour in North Korea.

North Korean officials say Warmbier has been in a coma for more than a year, but U.S. officials just learned of his condition on June 5. This was the first time the U.S. has received word of the UVA student since he was sentenced in March 2016 for "hostile acts against the state." Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor.

Tillerson said in a statement, "At the direction of the President, the Department of State has secured the release of Otto Warmbier from North Korea. Mr. Warmbier is en route to the United States, where he will be reunited with his family. The Department of State continues to have discussions with the DPRK regarding three other U.S. citizens reported detained."

Warmbier's parents told the Washington Post that their son was medically evacuated in a coma. He is expected to arrive to his home in Cincinnati Tuesday evening. His father, Fred Warmbier, told The Post, "Our son is coming home. At the moment, we're just treating this like he's been in an accident. We get to see our son Otto tonight."

According to The Post, the parents were told he caught botulism, a rare illness caused by bacteria, after the trial. He was given a sleeping pill, and he has been in a coma since.

UVA President Teresa Sullivan said in a statement, "The last 17 months have been an extremely difficult and emotionally trying time for the Warmbier family. The UVA family will continue to keep the Warmbiers in our thoughts and prayers as Otto returns to the United States and his home where he will receive the care and support of those who love him."

Image via Kim Kwang Hyon/Associated Press