U.S. State Dept “pleased” by release of U.S. student by North Korea

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday (June 13) it was “grateful” for the release of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. university student held captive in North Korea for 17 months.

Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student from suburban Cincinnati, was on his way back to the United States.

State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Warmbier was “in the air” and would not comment further on his physical condition, amidst reports that Warmier is in a coma. The State Department did not comment on the circumstances of Warmbier’s release.

Nauert said Dennis Rodman’s trip to North Korea has nothing to do with Warmbier’s release.