North Korea releases US student after serving jail sentence

US student Otto Warmbier has been released by North Korean authorities after spending 15 months in jail, according to secretary of state Rex Tillerson.

Warmbier had been handed a 15-year prison term and hard labour after allegedly attempting to remove a propaganda sign from a hotel in the country.

Reports have been circulating that Warmbier has been in a coma for several months, and has been released to his family in Ohio on medical grounds.

The economics student was arrested in January 2016 and convicted in March of the same year following a televised confession on North Korean state media.

Speaking with The Washington Post, Warmbier’s father Fred said the 22-year-old was on his way home, but did not give further details on what may have led to his son falling ill.

“Our son is coming home,” Fred Warmbier said. “At the moment, we’re just treating this like he’s been in an accident. We get to see our son Otto tonight.”

Warmbier had visited North Korea as part of tour group Young Pioneer Tours.