North Korea frees detained US men Miller and Bae

Two Americans who were being held in detention in North Korea, Matthew Todd Miller and Kenneth Bae, have been released and are on their way home.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper travelled to North Korea and is accompanying the men back, the US has confirmed.

A third US citizen, Jeffrey Fowle, was freed last month and no Americans are now being held in North Korea.

US President Barack Obama said he was "grateful" for their safe return.

He said it was "a wonderful day" for the men and their families.

The US had accused North Korea of using its citizens as pawns in a diplomatic game. Pyongyang denies the accusations.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he appreciated North Korea's decision to release the men and was relieved they were returning home.

'Hostile acts'
Mr Clapper travelled to North Korea for direct talks with the authorities.

Mr Obama said: "I appreciate the director doing a great job on what was obviously a challenging mission."

Read More: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29967561

-- BBC 2014-11-09

It is a shame when some of these Dictators, who have a once in a lifetime chance, to make a drastic change in the lives and development of their countries only see the chance to be brutal and take everything they can and leave the bottom people starving.

This man should be working with South Korea and other nations in the Pacific Rim to develope his country into an economically developing country.

North Korea - the Hub of Happiness.

because when you get to leave, you are very HAPPY.

Or alternate link: http://time.com/3099035/north-korea-pyongyang-video/

I'm glad they were released and will be able to spend the upcoming holidays with their families.

My fellow Americans, stop going to North Korea just so you can say you did it. Don't give them money and don't give them a chance to make you a political pawn.

My fellow Americans, stop going to North Korea just so you can say you did it. Don't give them money and don't give them a chance to make you a political pawn.

Many tourists, including Americans, go to N. Korea with no problem.

These few Americans who get held there usually did something to piss them off.

I'd say you're safer in N. Korea as an American than in Thailand. You may get imprisoned in N. Korea, but you will eventually be released after negotiations by the government. You get imprisoned in Thailand, the US government doesn't care as they aren't going to mess with an ally's justice system, generally.