Otto Warmbier’s story brought America to tears from his return home to his tragic death. An honors student at the University of Virginia, Warmbier signed up for a tour with the intention of staying in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for only five days before heading to Beijing.
Most news and media coverage shared Warmbier’s story in a political light, adding commentary from congressmen and senators condemning North Korea for their actions. It may feel like a situation that we, the public, can do nothing about. The media failed to relate the common public to Warmbier’s story, but Warmbier’s story serves as a crucial reminder to those who travel, whether it is for school, vacation, or business.
We, as travelers, have an inherent want to learn more about the world – that’s why we study abroad or visit the world’s wonders that capture our curiosity. We embrace opportunities to go far and explore. The world is our home and carpe diem is our motto.
DPRK claimed that Warmbier stole a propaganda poster and their evidence was a grainy video footage with an unidentifiable male taking a poster off a wall. Warmbier’s friends on the trip with Warmbier refuted this and said he was sleeping in his room at the time. The militarist state sentenced Warmbier to 15 years prison and hard labor.
Objectively, there is no compelling evidence to prove either side and perhaps, we should leave that issue to politicians to handle. However, it is crucial that travelers, specifically American students studying abroad, stay aware and cautious. We are often fueled by a sense of invincibility and privilege of freedom as we embark on our journeys around the world as students under the umbrella of a university. Warmbier’s story should remind us that there are parts of the world that operate as Big Brother, and to them, we are merely Winston Smith, and there is no mercy for anyone who allegedly breaks the law.
In a time when terrorism is almost a weekly or monthly norm and politics have divided countries and communities, travelers must be careful in choosing where to go and even what to discuss on the train or plane. In countries opposed to Western culture, it is extremely important to keep our curiosity in check.
I, myself, will be studying abroad in Singapore in the Spring semester, and hopefully, I’ll get to see other neighboring Asian countries and learn more about my own culture and history. When I was accepted to the program going abroad, I was ecstatic to venture out of the Western Hemisphere and explore the Eastern part of the world that is rarely mentioned in Eurocentric textbooks. I imagined myself scoping out alleyways for the best local food and befriending strangers in restaurants.
Warmbier’s story was a wake-up call.
I was reminded to check my privilege, the bubble so many of us carry and often forget about, and that sometimes our wanderlust can lead to trouble.
I would never tell anyone not to explore where they desire or try to prevent anyone from doing so. So in the words of Jack Kerouac: “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry” but don’t get in trouble with foreign law.
May Otto Warmbier’s soul travel to wherever he desires.