Two American Detainees Freed by North Korea Arrive Safely in U.S.

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Nov 10, 2014

Two American Detainees Freed by North Korea Arrive Safely in U.S.

Two Americans who have been detained in North Korea have been released from captivity. CNN reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the released of Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae and American Matthew Miller; the two detainees are now safely in the United States. 

Kenneth Bae had been held in North Korea for two years. The evangelist had been accused of working with the underground church movement in the nation and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

When Bae landed in the U.S. he said, “"I just want to say thank you all for supporting me and standing by me during this time.” 

In a press conference later, Bae thanked President Obama and the State Department for securing his freedom. 

Matthew Miller was detained in April for allegedly tearing his tourist visa when he entered the country and demanding asylum; he was sentenced to six years in a labor camp. Miller and his family have remained quiet since his release. 

Jeffrey Fowler, an American tourist who was detained in North Korea after leaving a Bible in a club, was released in October. 

Bae and Miller’s release was in the wake of James Clapper, U.S. director of national intelligence visiting North Korea as a personal envoy to Obama. 

Publication date: November 10, 2014



Two American Detainees Freed by North Korea Arrive Safely in U.S.