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!
