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After Otto was released in June 2017, he returned to the United States in a vegetative state following a reported botulism infection and long-term neglect of his medical needs at a North Korean hospital. The harrowing images released by his family showcased a once-vibrant young man reduced to a shell of his former self. He passed away shortly after returning home.
The death of Otto sparked intense political ramifications, accentuating the already strained relations between the United States and North Korea. It was a loud reminder of the potential dangers U.S. citizens face in countries with oppressive regimes, leading to a renewed executive decision to ban travel to North Korea later that year.