Otto Frederick Warmbier (center) being escorted to the North Korean Supreme Court in Pyongyang on March 16, 2016. (Photo:Reuters/VNA)

The statement came one day after an Ohio coroner said Warmbier died from lack of brain oxygen and blood due to an unknown injury. The Korean Central News Agency said North Korea provided medical care to Warmbier despite his “hostile acts” and all claims of torture are groundless.

Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was released by North Korea early this year, but died just days after returning to the US. His parents said their son had been tortured by North Korea.