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North Korea Frees US Detainees: Donald Trump

Washington(May 09, 2018): United States President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that three Americans held in North Korea have been released and are on their way back home.

“I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health,” Trump tweeted.He added that Pompeo had a “good meeting” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and said a “date and place set” for a meeting between the two leaders, echoing a similar comment he made Tuesday at the White House.

 The President said Pompeo and his “guests” will be arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 2 a.m. ET, presumably Thursday, where he will greet them.

 Pompeo also tweeted about the meeting with Kim and said he is “delighted” to bring home the three Americans.“I had productive meetings in Pyongyang with Chairman Kim Jong-un and made progress. I’m delighted to bring home three Americans,” the tweet said.

 Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump said he is “honored” by the release of the three Americans.

“We’re honored by the fact that the three gentlemen are coming home and I look forward to seeing you,” Trump said.

A statement released by the White House said Trump “appreciates Kim Jong Un’s action to release these American citizens and views this as a gesture of goodwill.”“The three Americans appear to be in good condition and were all able to walk on the plane without assistance. All Americans look forward to welcoming them home and to seeing them reunited with their loved ones,” the statement said.

The Americans, Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk, also known as Tony Kim, have been held in North Korea for months.

While Kim Dong Chul has been in North Korean custody since before Trump was elected, the other two detainees were arrested last spring, after Trump’s inauguration and as tensions between Washington and Pyongyang were beginning to ramp up.

The family of Tony Kim specifically thanked Trump for working to secure the Americans’ release.

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