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North Korea releases detained US citizens Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller North Korea releases detained US citizens Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller
(35 minutes later)
North Korea has released two US citizens held in the country, it was confirmed on Saturday. Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller were on their way back to the US.North Korea has released two US citizens held in the country, it was confirmed on Saturday. Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller were on their way back to the US.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed the release of the two Americans, and said they were being accompanied back to the US by James Clapper, the director of national intelligence. In an unusual development, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed the release of the two Americans, rather than the State Department. The ODNI also said Bae and Miller were being accompanied back to the US by James Clapper, the director of national intelligence.
Bae, a missionary from Washington state, was arrested in November 2012; Miller was arrested in April 2014. Both were sentenced to hard labour.Bae, a missionary from Washington state, was arrested in November 2012; Miller was arrested in April 2014. Both were sentenced to hard labour.
Asked about the release of Bae and Miller at the White House press conference at which he confirmed the nomination of Loretta Lynch as his new attorney general, President Barack Obama said: “I think it’s a wonderful day for them and their families, and we’re very grateful to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for doing a great job on what was obviously a very challenging mission.” Asked about the release of Bae and Miller at the White House press conference at which he confirmed the nomination of Loretta Lynch as his new attorney general, President Barack Obama said: “I think it’s a wonderful day for them and their families, and obviously we are very grateful for their safe return and I appreciate director Clapper doing a great job on what was obviously a challenging mission.”
Ahead of a three-country trip to Asia by Obama, an unnamed administration official told the Associated Press the release of Bae and Miller did not change the US position on North Korea’s nuclear programme and added that the release had involved no measures in return. Speaking to Reuters, Bae’s son, Jonathan, said he had spoken to his father on Friday night.
“The brief time on the phone, he sounded good,” Jonathan Bae said. “I’m sure he will be back to his old self in no time.
“It came out of the blue. One minute he was doing farm labor and the next minute they are saying, ‘You are going home.’ Just like everyone else, he was surprised.”
Ahead of a three-country trip to Asia by Obama, during which he is expected to talk to Chinese officials about influencing North Korea over nuclear issues, an unnamed administration official told the Associated Press the release of Bae and Miller did not change the US position on North Korea’s nuclear programme and added that the release had involved no measures in return.
The official said North Korea would still be expected to commit towards denuclearisation and improved human rights, and added that Congress and US allies had been notified of Clapper’s journey to the country once it was under way.The official said North Korea would still be expected to commit towards denuclearisation and improved human rights, and added that Congress and US allies had been notified of Clapper’s journey to the country once it was under way.
In May 2013, Bae, who was then 44, was given a 15-year sentence, after being found guilty of unspecified crimes against the state. He was reported to be suffering from bad health.In May 2013, Bae, who was then 44, was given a 15-year sentence, after being found guilty of unspecified crimes against the state. He was reported to be suffering from bad health.
In September, Miller, a 24-year-old from California, was given a six-year sentence after being found guilty of entering the country illegally and committing “hostile acts” against the state. While at Pyongyang airport in April, he reportedly tore up his entrance visa and demanded asylym.In September, Miller, a 24-year-old from California, was given a six-year sentence after being found guilty of entering the country illegally and committing “hostile acts” against the state. While at Pyongyang airport in April, he reportedly tore up his entrance visa and demanded asylym.
It was later reported that he had wanted to become “a second Snowden”, in a reference to the National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, who was given asylum in Russia.It was later reported that he had wanted to become “a second Snowden”, in a reference to the National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, who was given asylum in Russia.
Diplomatic efforts to free both men had been ongoing. In a statement released on Saturday, the State Department said: “We are grateful to director of national intelligence Clapper, who engaged on behalf of the United States in discussions with DPRK authorities about the release of two citizens.Diplomatic efforts to free both men had been ongoing. In a statement released on Saturday, the State Department said: “We are grateful to director of national intelligence Clapper, who engaged on behalf of the United States in discussions with DPRK authorities about the release of two citizens.
“The safety and welfare of US citizens abroad is [our] highest priority, and the United States has long called on DPRK authorities to release these individuals on humanitarian grounds. We join their families and friends in welcoming them home.“The safety and welfare of US citizens abroad is [our] highest priority, and the United States has long called on DPRK authorities to release these individuals on humanitarian grounds. We join their families and friends in welcoming them home.
“We also want to thank our international partners, especially our Protecting Power, the government of Sweden, for their tireless efforts to help secure the freedom of Mr Bae and Mr Miller.”“We also want to thank our international partners, especially our Protecting Power, the government of Sweden, for their tireless efforts to help secure the freedom of Mr Bae and Mr Miller.”
Bae and Miller were the last Americans held by North Korea, following the release last month of Jeffrey Fowle. Fowle was held for nearly six months, after being accused of leaving a bible in a nightclub.Bae and Miller were the last Americans held by North Korea, following the release last month of Jeffrey Fowle. Fowle was held for nearly six months, after being accused of leaving a bible in a nightclub.