Otto Warmbier’s parents want seized North Korean ship as compensation for son’s death

US seized North Korea’s second-largest cargo ship after it was detained in April 2018 by Indonesia while transporting coal

Cindy and Fred Warmbier say North Korea hasn’t responded to wrongful death claim

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The North Korean cargo ship, which the US seized in May. Photo: AP

Published: 6:44am, 7 Jul 2019Updated: 9:28pm, 7 Jul 2019

The parents of Otto Warmbier have filed a claim for a seized North Korean cargo ship, seeking to collect on a multimillion-dollar judgement awarded in the American college student’s death.

The Warmbiers filed court papers Wednesday in New York federal court saying they have a right to the assets after North Korea failed to respond to a wrongful death claim that accused it of abducting Warmbier, who had travelled there for a guided tour ahead of a study abroad programme in Hong Kong.

Cindy and Fred Warmbier at the United Nations headquarters in May 2018. Photo: AP

The Warmbiers say their son was tortured after being convicted of trying to steal a propaganda poster and imprisoned for months.

He suffered severe brain damage, but doctors were unable to determine was led to it. The 22-year-old died days after being returned to the US in a vegetative state in 2017.

“The Warmbiers are committed to holding North Korea accountable for the death of their son Otto, and will work tirelessly to seize North Korean assets wherever they may be found,” Ben Hatch, a lawyer for the family, said in a statement.

North Korea has rejected accusations by relatives that it tortured Warmbier and said he was provided “medical treatments and care with all sincerity”.