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Otto's parents were heartbroken to see their son in such a horrific state. They made the excruciating decision to remove life support after just six days, leading to his death on June 19, 2017. The Warmbiers would soon navigate the legal battle to hold North Korea accountable for their son’s suffering.
Seeking Justice
Otto's parents filed a lawsuit against the North Korean government and won a default judgment, receiving $501 million for damages. However, North Korea’s refusal to pay rendered the victory more symbolic than practical, as tangible justice was unreachable. In January 2022, they received $240,000 after the U.S. government seized North Korean assets, though it did little to ease their pain.