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Jeffrey Fowle, American Held by North Korea, Is Released Jeffrey Fowle, American Held by North Korea, Is Released
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — Jeffrey E. Fowle, one of three Americans imprisoned by North Korea, has been released and is on his way home after more than six months in captivity, the White House said Tuesday, easing but not ending the acute tensions with the hermetic Asian country that still considers the United States a bitter enemy. WASHINGTON — Jeffrey E. Fowle, one of three Americans imprisoned by North Korea, has been released and is on his way home after nearly six months in captivity, the White House said Tuesday, easing but not ending the acute tensions with the hermetic Asian country that still considers the United States a bitter enemy.
A State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, who announced Mr. Fowle’s release in Washington, said American officials were still trying to secure the release of the other two prisoners, Matthew Todd Miller and Kenneth Bae.A State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, who announced Mr. Fowle’s release in Washington, said American officials were still trying to secure the release of the other two prisoners, Matthew Todd Miller and Kenneth Bae.
Mr. Fowle, 56, an Ohio municipal worker, entered North Korea on a tourist visa in April and was arrested after he left a Bible in a hotel. Experts on North Korea have said that he may have been suspected of proselytizing his Christian faith, which is interpreted as a crime in a country that sees religion as a threat to the authoritarian government.Mr. Fowle, 56, an Ohio municipal worker, entered North Korea on a tourist visa in April and was arrested after he left a Bible in a hotel. Experts on North Korea have said that he may have been suspected of proselytizing his Christian faith, which is interpreted as a crime in a country that sees religion as a threat to the authoritarian government.
In interviews with American news organizations permitted by North Korea in September, Mr. Fowle said that he had been allowed to contact his wife and three small children in Miamisburg, Ohio, outside Dayton, but that he had not spoken with them at that point for three weeks. “I’m desperate to get back to them,” he told the interviewers.In interviews with American news organizations permitted by North Korea in September, Mr. Fowle said that he had been allowed to contact his wife and three small children in Miamisburg, Ohio, outside Dayton, but that he had not spoken with them at that point for three weeks. “I’m desperate to get back to them,” he told the interviewers.
His family had previously offered a public “heartfelt apology” on his behalf for any offense he might have committed.His family had previously offered a public “heartfelt apology” on his behalf for any offense he might have committed.
Mr. Fowle’s congregation, Bethel Baptist Church in the Dayton suburb of West Carrollton, said in a statement that it “rejoices in the news that Jeff has been released and is on his way home.”Mr. Fowle’s congregation, Bethel Baptist Church in the Dayton suburb of West Carrollton, said in a statement that it “rejoices in the news that Jeff has been released and is on his way home.”
The White House remains hopeful for the release of the other two Americans as well. Mr. Bae, 46, a Christian missionary who entered North Korea in 2012, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for “anti-state” activities. Mr. Miller, 24, entered North Korea in April and, according to the Pyongyang government, shredded his American passport and requested asylum.The White House remains hopeful for the release of the other two Americans as well. Mr. Bae, 46, a Christian missionary who entered North Korea in 2012, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for “anti-state” activities. Mr. Miller, 24, entered North Korea in April and, according to the Pyongyang government, shredded his American passport and requested asylum.
Last month, North Korea’s Supreme Court sentenced Mr. Miller to six years of hard labor for “hostile acts,” saying he had intended to violate North Korea law so he would be imprisoned and become a firsthand witness to human rights conditions in the country.Last month, North Korea’s Supreme Court sentenced Mr. Miller to six years of hard labor for “hostile acts,” saying he had intended to violate North Korea law so he would be imprisoned and become a firsthand witness to human rights conditions in the country.
Obama administration officials were clearly happy about Mr. Fowle’s departure from North Korea but coupled the news with reminders about the other two prisoners.Obama administration officials were clearly happy about Mr. Fowle’s departure from North Korea but coupled the news with reminders about the other two prisoners.
“We certainly welcome the decision from the DPRK to release him,” Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said of Mr. Fowle, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.“We certainly welcome the decision from the DPRK to release him,” Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said of Mr. Fowle, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“While this was a positive decision by the DPRK, we remain focused on the continued detention of Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller and again call on the DPRK to immediately release them.”“While this was a positive decision by the DPRK, we remain focused on the continued detention of Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller and again call on the DPRK to immediately release them.”
Terri Chung, Mr. Bae’s sister in Washington State, welcomed the news of Mr. Fowle’s release. She also said that Mr. Bae has increasingly struggled with health problems from his toils in a labor camp. “While we wrestle with the disappointment that Kenneth was not brought home as well, we believe, however optimistically, that this release could be a sign of hope for Kenneth,” she said in an emailed statement.
The United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, a legacy of the Korean War that was halted — but not formally ended — with an armistice more than 60 years ago.The United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, a legacy of the Korean War that was halted — but not formally ended — with an armistice more than 60 years ago.
North Korean routinely castigates American military exercises with South Korea, denounces American-led efforts to isolate North Korea with sanctions, and says North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles are meant to deter an American attack. North Korea routinely castigates American military exercises with South Korea, denounces American-led efforts to isolate North Korea with sanctions, and says North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles are meant to deter an American attack.
Mr. Earnest said Sweden, which represents American interests in Pyongyang, has played an important role in seeking the release of the three Americans.Mr. Earnest said Sweden, which represents American interests in Pyongyang, has played an important role in seeking the release of the three Americans.
He also said North Korea had made a condition of Mr. Fowle’s release that the United States transport him out of the country. The Pentagon provided a plane to fly him out.He also said North Korea had made a condition of Mr. Fowle’s release that the United States transport him out of the country. The Pentagon provided a plane to fly him out.
North Korea in the past has released Americans held in captivity after high-profile visits by envoys from the United States, including former President Bill Clinton, who traveled to Pyongyang in 2009 to secure the freedom of two journalists. Experts on North Korea said the release of Mr. Fowle without such a visit represented a conciliatory sign.North Korea in the past has released Americans held in captivity after high-profile visits by envoys from the United States, including former President Bill Clinton, who traveled to Pyongyang in 2009 to secure the freedom of two journalists. Experts on North Korea said the release of Mr. Fowle without such a visit represented a conciliatory sign.
"Clearly the North Koreans want to start a dialogue with the U.S.,” said Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who has traveled to North Korea more than half a dozen times on diplomatic missions for the United States. “With this positive gesture, by not demanding a special envoy, they are signaling a slight warming in a very cold and still hostile U.S.-North Korean relationship,” Mr. Richardson said in an email."Clearly the North Koreans want to start a dialogue with the U.S.,” said Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who has traveled to North Korea more than half a dozen times on diplomatic missions for the United States. “With this positive gesture, by not demanding a special envoy, they are signaling a slight warming in a very cold and still hostile U.S.-North Korean relationship,” Mr. Richardson said in an email.
Ohio politicians welcomed Mr. Fowle’s release. “I commend both American and Swedish officials who worked to secure his freedom,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat. “However, while we celebrate Mr. Fowle’s release, we must remember that two American citizens remain detained in North Korea. I urge continued diplomatic efforts to ensure all Americans are brought home safely and without further delay.”Ohio politicians welcomed Mr. Fowle’s release. “I commend both American and Swedish officials who worked to secure his freedom,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat. “However, while we celebrate Mr. Fowle’s release, we must remember that two American citizens remain detained in North Korea. I urge continued diplomatic efforts to ensure all Americans are brought home safely and without further delay.”
Tony P. Hall, a former Ohio congressman who once served as American ambassador to United Nations agencies and has visited North Korea eight times, said Mr. Fowle’s release was an unexpected piece of welcome news.Tony P. Hall, a former Ohio congressman who once served as American ambassador to United Nations agencies and has visited North Korea eight times, said Mr. Fowle’s release was an unexpected piece of welcome news.
“Like all stories coming out of North Korea, you’re always surprised,” he said by telephone. “I hope the message is that they are trying to show a different face to the world.”“Like all stories coming out of North Korea, you’re always surprised,” he said by telephone. “I hope the message is that they are trying to show a different face to the world.”
Mr. Hall, who visited with Mr. Fowle’s family last month and met with the North Korean ambassador to the United Nations to press for Mr. Fowle’s release, said “I think this is a very big step.”Mr. Hall, who visited with Mr. Fowle’s family last month and met with the North Korean ambassador to the United Nations to press for Mr. Fowle’s release, said “I think this is a very big step.”