Student tearfully begs for North Korea's forgiveness

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA (KTRK) -- A student detained in North Korea made a tearful plea for forgiveness.

Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was detained by North Korean officials after he was accused of theft.

"I wish the United States administration never manipulated people, like myself, in the future to commit crimes against foreign countries," Warmbier says.

"I entirely beg you, the government of the DPR Korea, for your forgiveness, please, I've made the worst mistake of my life."

Warmbier was arrested in January for allegedly attempting to steal a banner with a political slogan from a Pyongyang hotel.

It is unclear whether he made the statement voluntarily.