US detainees thank Trump for release from N Korea
Pyongyang: Three Americans released by North Korea on Wednesday have thanked President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for securing their freedom.
The men are flying to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, where Mr Trump will welcome them early on Thursday.
The White House said they had been freed as a gesture of goodwill ahead of the planned meeting between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Mr Trump said the venue for the talks would be announced “within three days”.
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo and the people of the United States for bringing us home,” Kim Haksong, Tony Kim and Kim Dongchul said in a statement.
“We thank God and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return.”
The three men had been jailed for anti-state activities and placed in labour camps.
Their release came during a visit to Pyongyang by Mr Pompeo to arrange details of the meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Kim. “I appreciate Kim Jong-un doing this and allowing them to go,” Mr Trump said.
In his tweet, Mr Trump added that he would personally greet the detainees when they arrive at Andrews Air Force Base at 02:50 EDT (06:50GMT) on Thursday. Their plane, also carrying Mr Pompeo, made brief stops at a US air base in Japan and in Alaska en route to Washington.
Who are the freed Americans?
■ Kim Hak-song was held on suspicion of “hostile acts” in May 2017. He had previously described himself as a Christian missionary who intended to start an experimental farm at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST)
■ Tony Kim, also known as Kim Sang-duk, also worked at PUST. He was detained in April 2017 on espionage charges. According to South Korean media, he had been involved in humanitarian work in the North.
■ Kim Dong-chul, a pastor in his early 60s, was detained in 2015 on spying charges, and was then sentenced to 10 years hard labour.