An American student detained in North Korea since early January and accused of carrying out a hostile act against the state has been paraded before the media.<br /><br /> 21-year-old Otto Warmbier from the University of Virginia read out a purported confession saying he had stolen a political slogan – thought to have been from his hotel in Pyongyang.<br /><br /> He was arrested on January 2 and reportedly taken away before boarding a flight back to China. <br /><br /> “I understand the severity of my crime, and I have no idea what sort of penalty I may face, but I am begging to the Korean people and government for my forgiveness. And I am praying to the heavens so that I may be returned home to my family.”<br /><br /> Warmbier said he had been offered a prize of a second hand car if he could bring back a “trophy” to present to an American church. <br /><br /> Responding to his appearance in their first public statement since his detention, the student’s family said they hoped his “sincere apology” would make it possible for the author
