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Comment by jaequery | Hacker News Reader

Man, the comments here are harsh! Let's atleast show some sympathy for support of his parents and his family. I'm sure the word devastation won't even describe the pain and fear that they may be going through. My hearts and prayers goes out to his family, really wish him a quick and safe return.

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There can be sympathy for the loved ones, that said, the discussion does remind me of similar discussions regarding of the teenager arrested for theft and vandalism in Singapore in the 90s [1]. Outrage over him being caned.

I'm sorry, but travelers to a foreign country need to be at least cognizant of local customs (read the section in a travel book before going), and if they break the rules, expect to face consequences.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_P._Fay

We could really use caning to discipline juvenile offenders. Nothing like a good ass whooping to teach kids right from wrong. Unfortunately, grounding kids only work for those within the safety nets of middle class. It is not enough nor is it realistic to threaten to take away a child's things when there's nothing to take away because of poverty.

There is the possibility the excessive sentence is to make him into in to a negotiation pawn. NK now has one more pawn to play whenever something comes up with the US [perh. by extension JP]

Indeed. Regardless of him doing something stupid. The punishment doesn't fit the crime.

I think the logic might be slightly on the guy's side.

My take is NK will make sure he kept in a good conditions, possibly exposed to some made-up farmers views playing "hard labor prisoners" to make sure he will eventually report that no atrocities are taking place and with eventual return already planned for him on a horizon.

Not to say that actual NK citizen's lifetime for equal "offense" will likely be drastically shorter.

Letting US citizen to die in NK is not going to have a healthy consequences for "the leader" and he realizes this pretty well.

I mostly agree, but can't see much evidence of Kim Jong-un being kept on a short leash by the West. Pyongyang launches 40-meter, 8000 km Taepodong missiles for funsies with very little international reprimand. I just hope this matter is dealt careful diplomacy by the US.

Right. It's possible to feel bad for someone murdered by a criminal even if they left their door open all night.

What North Korea is going to do to this kid is going to be inhuman and totally disproportionate to what he did, which was, at worst, fairly stupid.

Seriously, it's like some of the commenters are completely devoid of empathy.

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