I feel bad for the 21 year old sentenced in North Korea

[SHRED]

But why would anyone visit that country?
I can't figure that out.



North Korea sentences U.S. student to 15 years hard labor
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/16/asia/north-korea-warmbier-sentenced/


....

[iandhr]

1. Not very bright to say the least

[LyndaG]

2. He was irresponsible

But, it was sad to see him cry like that. Hope something can be worked out soon and he can return home.

[monmouth4]

3. He really was irresponsible, stupid really. He was on a school tour, correct?..n/t

[steve2470]

4. I feel really bad for him also

He's only a year older than my son. If he ignored good advice not to do things like that...what can you say. It would be interesting to visit just to see how they live, but it would not be as fun as South Korea, for sure.

[polly7]

5. That's so sad.

For 'allegedly' stealing a sign??

But it sounded like he might be released after six months if a 'VIP' from the U.S. went to get him? The poor guy, and his family - I hope something can be worked out diplomatically for him.

[SHRED]

6. Very sad

NK is an F'ed up place.

[Wounded Bear]

9. Probably....

NK has gotten their political coup now. In a few months we'll cut a deal and quietly get him back.

At least I hope so.

[NightWatcher]

7. I'm sick of naïve people who get themselves into stupid situations and expect to get off

It's friggin North Korea, what did you expect?

No one there has any rights, the ruler is a tool, and there's not even a Senor Frogs there, which is where 21 year olds are supposed to go for wacky antics.

He's going to have to pay dearly for his stupidity

[SHRED]

8. We've all done stupid shit

I'll venture to say that most of us are lucky to be alive.

[NightWatcher]

11. I never went to a communist country for shits and giggles

But yes, we've all done stupid shit.

I just naïveté almost as much as gleeful, willful ignorance. I especially hate when people go to unfriendly foreign countries and expect the US Bill of Rights to cover their dumb asses.

[SHRED]

13. It is very dumb for sure

[NightWatcher]

14. We used to get stoned and crash golf carts (going < 5 mph)

out in the gated community where my friend lived.

The worst we got was yelled at and his dad had to buy a new tire for a golf cart.

[SHRED]

16. You rebel...LOL

[steve2470]

10. my guess is he's an immature 21 year old

Yes, he's an adult and should know better, but I tend to give people that young some extra slack. God knows I did dumb things at that age.

[pnwmom]

15. I blame the group that sent him and didn't educate him about the risks. n/t

[steve2470]

17. good point

If I was leading that group, I would have drilled into everyone to be absolutely rule-abiding to a fault (i.e, no destruction of property or removing posters, etc).

[Reter]

18. He's 21, he should know

Only a moron doesn't know how NK is.

[Art_from_Ark]

26. There are a lot of things that aren't "common sense" to Westerners

that can get them in trouble in North Korea.

For example, there was a Japanese TV program about a guided tour of Japanese tourists in NK a few years ago where the tourists were always being cautioned not to do this, not to do that, or they would be fined, or worse. For example, when entering a certain shrine, visitors had to avert their eyes, and if they looked in a certain direction, they could be fined several hundred $$$.

[cwydro]

12. I'm curious as to what this "Young Pioneers" group is, with which he was traveling.

It's an odd story.

[Person 2713]

19. Some religious groups like the anti USA propaganda signs for

their own apocalyptic war talk but the tours are out of China so as you stated its odd
http://www.youngpioneertours.com
WIN A FREE TRIP TO NORTH KOREA
no thanks

[cwydro]

21. Well yeah, very odd.

He mentioned his Christian church being involved too.

I'm thinking a very foolish young man

[Jitter65]

20. Here for you..

http://www.youngpioneertours.com

[cwydro]

22. That was an interesting read.

Thank you.

[white_wolf]

25. I don't know if it's the same thing, but it used be a communist youth organization.

I recall it was a thing during the days of the USSR and I assume its still around in China, but I'm not sure.

[Raine]

23. Me too...

He was stupid but I have to admit I felt sorry for him when he crying & saying he was sorry.

[SoCalDem]

24. Shame on the "pastors" etc who organize these "trips"

Young people are idealistic and probably think they are doing god's work.

Here's the truth:

Militaristic dictatorships do not want your religion/bibles/conversion attempts.

They DO want to trot "tourists" out in public (after making them confess)

and they WILL lock you up..

Take those "kids" to the Caribbean and let them have some fun..

[melman]

27. There are no pastors involved in this

It's just a travel company.

[pampango]

28. Stupidity on one side and brutality on the other is not a good mix. Bad things will happen. n/t