Two Americans held by North Korea were on their way home Saturday after their release was secured through a secret mission by the top U.S. intelligence official to the country.
Matthew Miller of Bakersfield http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-esa-lindell-stars-jersey/ , California, and Kenneth Bae of Lynnwood, Washington, were flying back to the West Coast with James Clapper, the director of national intelligence http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-dino-ciccarelli-stars-jersey/ , according to U.S. officials. Clapper was the highest-ranking American to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade. Miller and Bae were scheduled to arrive at Joint Base Lewis McChord south of Seattle shortly after 9 p.m., said a Bae family spokesman.
It was the latest twist in the fitful relationship between the Obama administration and the young North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. And it was an anomalous role for Clapper, a retired general who doesn't typically do diplomacy.
"It's a wonderful day for them and their families," President Barack Obama said at the White House following his announcement of his pick for attorney general. "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."
U.S. officials did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the Americans' release http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-devin-shore-stars-jersey/ , including whether Clapper met with Kim or other senior North Korean officials. They said the timing was not related to Obama's imminent trip to China, Myanmar and Australia.
A senior administration official said Clapper carried a brief message from Obama indicating that Clapper was his personal envoy to bring the two Americans home. The official spoke on a condition of anonymity without authorization to speak on the record.
Analysts who study North Korea said the decision to free Bae and Miller now from long prison terms probably was a bid by that country to ease pressure in connection with its human rights record.
Bae and Miller were the last Americans held by North Korea.
"Their release has been our focus every single day and we've been working all the angles available to bring them home," Secretary of State John Kerry said from Oman on Saturday. "We're pleased that this humanitarian gesture has taken place."
Bae, a Korean-American missionary with health problems, was serving a 15-year sentence for alleged anti-government activities. He was detained in 2012 while leading a tour group to a North Korea economic zone.
Terri Chung http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-dan-hamhuis-stars-jersey/ , Bae's sister, said she received word from the State Department Saturday morning that Bae and Miller were on a plane that had left North Korean airspace. "We have been waiting for and praying for this day for two years. This ordeal has been excruciating for the family, but we are filled with joy right now," Chung said in an emailed statement.
Miller was serving a six-year jail term on charges of espionage after he allegedly ripped up his tourist visa at Pyongyang's airport in April and demanded asylum. North Korea said Miller had wanted to experience prison life so that he could secretly investigate North Korea's human rights situation.
In this Sept. 1, 2014 file photo, Kenneth Bae speaks to the Associated Press in Pyongyang, North Korea. The US announces Saturday the release of Americans Bae and and Matthew Todd Miller who were detained in North Korea, saying they're on way home. (AP PhotoWong Maye-E http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-craig-hartsburg-stars-jersey/ , File) In this image taken from video, U.S. citizen Matthew Todd Miller speaks at an undisclosed location in North Korea Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. The US announced Saturday the release of Americans Miller and Kenneth Bae who were detained in North Korea, saying they're on way home. (AP PhotoAPTN)
Last month http://www.starsauthority.com/authentic-brian-flynn-stars-jersey/ , North Korea released Jeffrey Fowle of Miamisburg, Ohio, who was held for nearly six months. He had left a Bible in a nightclub in the hope that it would reach North Korea's underground Christian community.
Fowle said his fellow Americans' release is "an answer to a prayer." He said he initially thought Bae and Miller had been released with him last month. "I didn't realize they weren't released with me until I got on the plane," he said.
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