North Korea has released two Americans who had been held as prisoners, the Obama administration said Saturday.
A spokesman for Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Americans Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller are on their way back to the U.S.
At the White House Saturday, President Obama said of their release, “It’s a wonderful day for them and their families. We’re grateful for their safe return.”
He thanked Mr. Clapper for his role in “what was obviously a challenging mission.”
Mr. Bae arrested in November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years’ hard labor on charges of seeking to overthrow the North Korean government. He was working eight hours a day, six days a week at a labor camp.
Mr. Miller, 24, was arrested in April for reasons that are unclear and was sentenced to six years of hard labor.
“We welcome the DPRK’s decision to release both Mr. Bae and Mr. Miller,” said DNI spokesman Brian Hale. The administration thanked international partners, especially the government of Sweden, for helping to secure their release.
Jeffrey Fowle of Ohio was released last month after being detained for about five months.
The State Department said it was reiterating “our strong recommendation against all travel by U.S. citizens to” North Korea.
The release of both men came one day before Obama leaves on a trip for China, Myanmar and Australia. White House officials said the timing of the decision had nothing to do with the president’s trip.
Both Bae and Miller had previously said that they believed their only chance of release would involve high-ranking government officials to intervene on their behalf.
Official denied there was a quid pro quo involved in the Americans’ release.
• Wire services contributed to the writing of this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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