Two Americans released by North Korea land in Washington

Two Americans released from captivity in North Korea returned to the United States Saturday night, landing at a Washington state military base after their departure was secured through a secret mission by the top U.S. intelligence official to the reclusive Communist country. Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord shortly after 9 pm PST. U.S. officials said the pair flew back with James Clapper, the director of national intelligence. The men, who arrived with shaved heads, disembarked the US government plane with luggage, then embraced family and friends on the tarmac. Clapper was the highest-ranking American to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade.

I just want to say thank you all for supporting me and standing by me during this time. I’d like to thank the DPRK North Korean government, as well — allowing me to come home and be united with our family,

Kenneth Bae

North Korea’s surprise release of Bae and Miller followed the equally unexpected decision by Pyongyang last month to free 56-year-old US national Jeffrey Fowle. It was the latest twist in the fitful relationship between the Obama administration and the young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose approach to the U.S. has shifted back and forth from defiance to occasional conciliation. U.S. officials did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the Americans’ release, including whether Clapper met with Kim or other senior officials. Analysts who study North Korea said the decision to free Bae and Miller now from long prison terms was likely a bid by that country to ease pressure in connection with its human rights record.

The North Koreans want to come back to negotiations. They are going through a bad patch. The last two years have been a disaster. They are more and more of an isolated state.

Joseph DeTrani, a North Korea analyst

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