The Loss Angel Times :
Two Americans detained in North Korea were freed and brought home to the United States on Saturday, the result of a surprising move by the reclusive nation that may signal a shift in its approach to the United States.
The men – Matthew Todd Miller, 25, of Bakersfield, arrested in April, and Kenneth Bae, 46, of Lynnwood, Wash., held since 2012 – landed Saturday night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, Wash., accompanied by James R. Clapper, the director of national intelligence.
At 9:03 p.m., Bae emerged from a U.S. government plane and crossed the tarmac to embrace waiting family members. About seven minutes later, Miller walked out of the plane and hugged relatives at the bottom of the steps.
Americans Kenneth Bae, left, and Matthew Todd Miller are on their way home after being released from detention in North Korea, the State Department said today.
In a brief news conference, Bae thanked President Obama for helping to secure his release and North Korea for allowing him to leave.
“It’s been an amazing two years,” Bae said. “I learned a lot…. I’m standing strong because of you.”
Bae also thanked his supporters for “lifting me up and not forgetting me.” He urged the world to not forget the people of North Korea.
Obama had announced the return of Bae and Miller earlier Saturday from the White House and thanked Clapper for succeeding in “a challenging mission” to help bring about the release of the men.
“We’re very grateful for their safe return,” the president said.
The announcement came hours before Obama was to head to Asia for a weeklong trip, starting with a stop in China, North Korea’s most important ally.
The U.S. has no direct diplomatic relations with North Korea. Sending Clapper, the nation’s top intelligence official, on a secret mission to the country was highly unusual. He had been scheduled to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday in New York, but the appearance was abruptly canceled.
Two Americans detained in North Korea were freed and brought home to the United States on Saturday, the result of a surprising move by the reclusive nation that may signal a shift in its approach to the United States.
The men – Matthew Todd Miller, 25, of Bakersfield, arrested in April, and Kenneth Bae, 46, of Lynnwood, Wash., held since 2012 – landed Saturday night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, Wash., accompanied by James R. Clapper, the director of national intelligence.
At 9:03 p.m., Bae emerged from a U.S. government plane and crossed the tarmac to embrace waiting family members. About seven minutes later, Miller walked out of the plane and hugged relatives at the bottom of the steps.
Americans Kenneth Bae, left, and Matthew Todd Miller are on their way home after being released from detention in North Korea, the State Department said today.
In a brief news conference, Bae thanked President Obama for helping to secure his release and North Korea for allowing him to leave.
“It’s been an amazing two years,” Bae said. “I learned a lot…. I’m standing strong because of you.”
Bae also thanked his supporters for “lifting me up and not forgetting me.” He urged the world to not forget the people of North Korea.
Obama had announced the return of Bae and Miller earlier Saturday from the White House and thanked Clapper for succeeding in “a challenging mission” to help bring about the release of the men.
“We’re very grateful for their safe return,” the president said.
The announcement came hours before Obama was to head to Asia for a weeklong trip, starting with a stop in China, North Korea’s most important ally.
The U.S. has no direct diplomatic relations with North Korea. Sending Clapper, the nation’s top intelligence official, on a secret mission to the country was highly unusual. He had been scheduled to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday in New York, but the appearance was abruptly canceled.
