The Plight of US Citizens Detained in North Korea: A Closer Look

Despite tensions and lack of formal diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea, a small but steady stream of Americans have visited the country on organized tours, sometimes with dangerous consequences. The US government has issued a travel warning due to the risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals in North Korea. Notable cases include Otto Warmbier, who was arrested in 2016 and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment with hard labor, suffering a neurological injury and dying shortly after his release; Bruce Byron Lowrance, who was detained in 2018 and later released, possibly as an effort to improve relations with the US; Matthew Miller, who was imprisoned for six years before being released along with another American detainee; Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to 15 years with hard labor and released following a secret visit by a US official; and Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were arrested in 2009 and released after a visit by former President Bill Clinton.