US VP Mike Pence to bring father of ‘tortured’ Christian student to Olympics

He was invited by US vice president Mike Pence, who has started a six-day tour through Asia, anchored by a stop at the Olympics.

It’s expected Mr Pence will focus less on sports than the host country’s neighbour to the North.

According to White House officials, Mr Pence will hold symbolic events of his own to highlight the North’s human rights abuses and nuclear ambitions.

Last year US President Donald Trump challenged North Korea’s official line concerning the death of Otto Warmbier.

The 22-year-old spent more than a year in detention after being sentenced for 15 years behind bars for allegedly trying to steal a propaganda poster from a hotel to take to his church.

Otto Warmbier in courtroom

Following Otto Warmbier’s death in September 2017, Mr Trump tweeted that the student was “tortured beyond belief” during his time in detention.

Ahead of the Olympics visit with the student’s father, Fred Warmbier, Mr Pence tweeted on Monday: “He & his wife remind the world of the atrocities happening in N Korea. As POTUS made clear at the #SOTU, we pledge to honor Otto’s memory w/ American resolve”

Headed to Japan & S Korea to strengthen the relationship between the U.S & allies, reiterate our commitment to continue to isolate N Korea & ensure N Korea doesn’t use the Olympics to paper over the truth about their…