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| Jeffrey Fowle, American Held by North Korea, Is Released | Jeffrey Fowle, American Held by North Korea, Is Released |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| WASHINGTON — Jeffrey E. Fowle, one of three Americans imprisoned by North Korea, has been released and is on his way home after six months of captivity, the White House said on Tuesday, easing though not ending a clash between the isolated Asian country and the United States. | WASHINGTON — Jeffrey E. Fowle, one of three Americans imprisoned by North Korea, has been released and is on his way home after six months of captivity, the White House said on Tuesday, easing though not ending a clash between the isolated Asian country and the United States. |
| 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 its 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 its 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 may have committed. | His family had previously offered a public “heartfelt apology” on his behalf for any offense he may have committed. |
| The White House remains hopeful for the release of the other two Americans as well. Mr. Bae, a Christian missionary who entered North Korea in 2012, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for “anti-state” activities. Mr. Miller 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, a Christian missionary who entered North Korea in 2012, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for “anti-state” activities. Mr. Miller entered North Korea in April and, according to the Pyongyang government, shredded his American passport and requested asylum. |
| “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. “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.” | “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. “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.” |
| The United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and Mr. Earnest said Sweden, which represents American interests in Pyongyang, has played an important role in seeking the release of the three Americans. | The United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and 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 North Korea 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. | Mr. Earnest said North Korea 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 from a government that routinely rails against the United States as its top enemy. | |
| “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 us 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.” |