Jailed Americans back from DPRK

Bae, Miller freed after mission to Pyongyang by US intelligence chief

Two US citizens released from lengthy prison sentences in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea arrived home on Saturday night, with one thanking supporters for never giving up on him.

The plane carrying Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller touched down at around 9 pm at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, following a secret mission by US intelligence chief James Clapper to secure their freedom.

Bae, a Korean-American missionary who has served two years in prison, expressed thanks to those who had been "supporting me and lifting me up and not forgetting me".

The men disembarked the US government jet with shaved heads and carrying luggage, then embraced family and friends on the tarmac.

The DPRK'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.

In a brief news conference, Bae said he was also grateful to those "supporting my family as well during this tremendously difficult time".

US President Barack Obama hailed the latest releases as "wonderful", as State Department officials claimed there had been no "quid pro quo" deal with the DPRK to secure Bae and Miller's freedom.

US Director of National Intelligence Clapper traveled to the DPRK and "engaged on behalf of the United States in discussions with DPRK authorities about the release of two citizens", a State Department statement said.

A senior administration official said Clapper carried a "brief message" from Obama to DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un indicating Clapper was Obama's personal envoy to bring the Americans home.

The official said the president approved the mission last week and US officials spent the next several days planning the trip. Clapper spent roughly a day on the ground and met with DPRK security officials but not with Kim, the official said aboard Air Force One as Obama prepared to head to Beijing.

Clapper went with the sole purpose of bringing home the two detainees, although the US anticipated that other issues of concern to the DPRK would come up during Clapper's discussions on the ground, the official said. "It was not to pursue any other diplomatic opening," said the official, who wasn't authorized to comment by name and demanded anonymity.

The US had considered sending someone from outside the government to retrieve the detainees, the official said, but suggested Clapper after the DPRK indicated in recent weeks that they would release the detainees if the US sent a high-level official from Obama's administration. He said the US settled on Clapper because of his role as a security official, rather than a diplomat.

"It was a skillful move on the part of the administration," former US envoy to the United Nations Bill Richardson, who has negotiated with the DPRK in the past, told CNN.

Obama, speaking just hours before leaving for a tour of Asia, praised Clapper's role in the "challenging" mission.

"I think it is a wonderful day for them and their families and obviously we are very grateful for their safe return," he said.

Family joyful, relieved

Bae said he is "recovering at this time" when asked about his health.

Bae was arrested in November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years' hard labor.

His sister Terri Chung expressed joy at her brother's release.

"We finally are here. My brother is home. All of our hopes and prayers for this moment have finally come true," she said, speaking before Bae took the podium.

Bae was born in South Korea and his family came to the United States in 1985, his sister said.

Miller, 24, had been sentenced to six years' hard labor by the DPRK Supreme Court following his arrest in April, after he ripped up his visa at immigration and demanded asylum.

The DPRK has expressed interest in the past in reviving the Six-Party Talks with the US and others about its nuclear program, but Washington insists Pyongyang must first show a tangible commitment to denuclearization.

A State Department official insisted the release of Bae and Miller did not reflect a shift in posture over the mothballed nuclear negotiations.

AFP - AP