I’m betting he didn’t steal it. It was probably given to him by a hotel member and then it was used as an entrapment.
He was probably told that he could go home if he signed the confession.
His only mistake was visiting North Korea.
This kid tried to steal a plaque off the wall of the motel with some communist motto on it. It was larger than he expected, all he could do was tear it off the wall (vandalism) and run away. He was on camera doing the damage. Some person in the US wanted to buy the plaque off him if he managed to steal it.
Kid is no innocent and will serve to remind other stupid kids that other countries don't just slap you on the wrist like in the US. Sad thing is he will probable die in prison learning his mistakes.