Fro the information I have found on US citizens detained in N.Korea’s prisons....Of the 15 Americans that have been held captive in N.Korea since 2009....all of them came out relatively unscathed apart from the psycological affects of being detained...but no evidence of physical torture..none.
It’s understood that N.Korea sees these people simply as bargaining chips so they tend to want the in good shape when the deals are struck.
Otto wasn’t released as a gesture of good will as Fatboys saying......they “unloaded” him as damaged goods. Sounds terrible but that is how the regime sees Americans....a revenue producing commodity . No doubt Kim got something for this deal or their would have been no deal struck.
I think Kim didnt know what Trumps reaction to a dead American...would be.
The got Dennis Rodman in trade for PR purposes.