US courts slaps $501-M in damages vs Pyongyang

WASHINGTON, D. C.: A US judge on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) ordered North Korea to pay $501 million over the death of American Otto Warmbier, concluding that the university student likely suffered torture.

The penalties, which North Korea is highly unlikely to pay willingly, come in the midst of a diplomatic drive by President Donald Trump, who is eager to reach a potentially landmark deal with leader Kim Jong Un.