6/13/2017

New York, NY –– Former Congressman, UN Ambassador, U.S. Energy Secretary, and Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson today issued the following statement following news that Otto Warmbier, a 22 year-old American imprisoned since January 2, 2016, was released from North Korea in a comatose state:

“The Richardson Center for Global Engagement welcomes the release of American student Otto Warmbier from North Korea today, though we are deeply concerned regarding his health. Otto has been in a coma for over a year now and urgently needs proper medical care in the United States. We received a call from Cindy and Fred Warmbier early today to update us on Otto’s condition. In no uncertain terms North Korea must explain the causes of his coma. My Center for Global Engagement has worked on behalf of the Warmbier family with the North Korean government directly, including a visit late last year to advance negotiations for his release, as well as with both the Obama and Trump administrations. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they continue to battle for Otto’s life.

“We also call on North Korea to immediately release Kim Dong Chul, a Korean-American who was arrested in April 2016; Tony Kim, a Korean-American who was arrested in April 2017; Kim Hak-Song, a Korean-American who was arrested in May 2017; and Hyeon Soo Lim, a Korean-Canadian who was arrested in February 2015.”

ABOUT THE RICHARDSON CENTER FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

The Richardson Center for Global Engagement promotes global peace and dialogue by identifying and working on areas of opportunity for engagement and citizen diplomacy with countries and communities not usually open to more formal diplomatic channels. Led by Bill Richardson, former Congressman, UN Ambassador, U.S. Energy Secretary, and Governor, the Center helps families, organizations, and world leaders mediate prisoner releases and international conflicts in areas of the world where others refuse to negotiate.