Americans detained by North Korea make triumphant return home.
Men taken for medical exams after a personal welcome from Trump
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Three American prisoners freed from North Korea arrived here early Thursday to a personal welcome from President Donald Trump, who traveled to an air base in the middle of the night to meet them.
Waving their hands and flashing peace signs, the freed prisoners — Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak-song — descended the stairs of their plane, flanked by the president and senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had flown to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, to secure their release.
Their return to the United States removed a delicate obstacle as the president prepares to sit down with the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, for a landmark nuclear summit meeting.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump were among those who traveled to the base to welcome the three men.
“We’re starting off on a new footing,” Trump said of the release. “That was a big thing, very important to me and I really think we have a very good chance of doing something very meaningful.”
In a statement as they traveled to the United States, the prisoners said they wanted to give their “deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo and the people of the United States for bringing us home.”
“We thank God and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return,” they said.
Speaking through a translator, one of the men recounted his time in captivity, describing long days in labor camps but adding he had received medical treatment when needed.
Shortly after meeting with Trump, the released Americans were transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for further testing.