WASHINGTON: North Korea has freed three American detainees, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, hailing a diplomatic victory ahead of a planned summit with Kim Jong Un.
Pyongyang granted the three men "amnesty," a US official said, and they are now on their way back to the United States with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Two of the men, agricultural expert Kim Hak-song and former professor Tony Kim were arrested in 2017, while Kim Dong-chul, a South Korea-born American businessman and pastor in his 60s, was sentenced to 10 years’ hard labour in 2016.
"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump tweeted.
The White House said all three men were able to walk unassisted onto a US Air Force plane that carried them and the secretary of state out of North Korea. A second plane, with more robust medical equipment, waited for them at Yokota Air Force Base, just outside Tokyo.
The family of Tony Kim voiced their gratitude to "all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home" -- and specifically thanking Trump for "engaging directly with North Korea." "Mostly, we thank God for Tony’s safe return," the family said in a statement. "We ask that you continue to pray for the people of North Korea and for the release of all who are still being held."