The White House said Tuesday it is a shame American Otto Warmbier was not freed sooner by the North Koreans because he might have survived whatever ailment he was suffering from.
The White House said Tuesday it is a shame American Otto Warmbier was not freed sooner by the North Koreans because he might have survived whatever ailment he was suffering from.
“We are pleased obviously to get him back to the United States, but if we had been able to secure that earlier, there could have potentially been medical help rendered earlier, ” Spicer said. “I think the president worked really hard to do what he could to secure the release of him.
“It’s a shame that it happened.”
Spicer would not comment or speculate about how Warmbier died, nor would he admit the Obama administration failed to do enough to help secure Warmbier’s release.
“We have had positive movement on China over the past five months with this administration, ” Spicer said. “We will continue to work with them and others to put the appropriate pressure on North Korea and to change this behavior in this regime.
“We will continue to hopefully build on the relationship and the dialogue we have had with China.”
About 15 minutes after the press briefing ended, Trump seemed to contradict what Spicer said regarding China:
While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!
