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Trump says North Korea released three US detainees North Korea frees three US detainees ahead of Trump summit
(35 minutes later)
North Korea has freed three US citizens from prison, according to a tweet from US President Donald Trump.North Korea has freed three US citizens from prison, according to a tweet from US President Donald Trump.
The move is viewed as goodwill gesture ahead of a historic summit between Mr Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un. It is viewed as a goodwill gesture ahead of a historic summit between Mr Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un.
Mr Trump said he would greet the men when they return with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been in Pyongyang to arrange the planned talks.Mr Trump said he would greet the men when they return with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been in Pyongyang to arrange the planned talks.
Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chu were able to "walk on the plane without assistance" the White House said. Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chu were able to "walk on the plane without assistance", the White House said.
They had been jailed for anti-state activities and placed in labour camps.They had been jailed for anti-state activities and placed in labour camps.
Mr Trump announced the release of the men in a tweet on Wednesday.Mr Trump announced the release of the men in a tweet on Wednesday.
"They seem to be in good health," he wrote, adding that a date and location had been set for talks after a "good meeting with Kim Jong Un"."They seem to be in good health," he wrote, adding that a date and location had been set for talks after a "good meeting with Kim Jong Un".
Mr Trump added that he will personally greet them when they arrive at Andrews Air Force Base at 02:00 EDT (06:00GMT) on Thursday.Mr Trump added that he will personally greet them when they arrive at Andrews Air Force Base at 02:00 EDT (06:00GMT) on Thursday.
In a later statement, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said that Mr Trump "appreciates" the move and "views this as a positive gesture of goodwill".In a later statement, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said that Mr Trump "appreciates" the move and "views this as a positive gesture of goodwill".
Who are the freed Americans?Who are the freed Americans?
Who are North Korea's American detainees?
One of the detainees was jailed in 2015, the other two have been in prison for just over a year. Their convictions have been widely condemned as political and an abuse of human rights.One of the detainees was jailed in 2015, the other two have been in prison for just over a year. Their convictions have been widely condemned as political and an abuse of human rights.
Ahead of his visit, the second to North Korea in under six weeks, the secretary of state said that he hoped North Korea would "do the right thing" and release the detainees.Ahead of his visit, the second to North Korea in under six weeks, the secretary of state said that he hoped North Korea would "do the right thing" and release the detainees.
The fate of the detainees has been a key factor in the build up to the Trump-Kim meeting.The fate of the detainees has been a key factor in the build up to the Trump-Kim meeting.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that they had been moved from prison to a hotel in Pyongyang, raising speculation that they could soon be released.Earlier this month, reports emerged that they had been moved from prison to a hotel in Pyongyang, raising speculation that they could soon be released.
"Stay tuned!" Mr Trump tweeted at the time."Stay tuned!" Mr Trump tweeted at the time.
What has reaction been?What has reaction been?
South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the release of the Americans, saying it would have a "positive effect" for upcoming negotiations.South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the release of the Americans, saying it would have a "positive effect" for upcoming negotiations.
Blue House spokesman Yoon Young-chan also called upon the North to release six South Korean prisoners.Blue House spokesman Yoon Young-chan also called upon the North to release six South Korean prisoners.
"In order to reinforce reconciliation between South Korea and North Korea and to spread peace on the Korean peninsula, we wish for a swift repatriation of South Korean detainees," Mr Yoon said in a statement."In order to reinforce reconciliation between South Korea and North Korea and to spread peace on the Korean peninsula, we wish for a swift repatriation of South Korean detainees," Mr Yoon said in a statement.
In a statement provided to the BBC, the family of Tony Kim said they "want to thank all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home".In a statement provided to the BBC, the family of Tony Kim said they "want to thank all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home".
"We also want to thank the President for engaging directly with North Korea," they add."We also want to thank the President for engaging directly with North Korea," they add.
What are North Korean prisons like?What are North Korean prisons like?
Some 120,000 people are believed to be imprisoned in North Korea without due process, according to the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK).Some 120,000 people are believed to be imprisoned in North Korea without due process, according to the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK).
People can be jailed by the regime for almost anything, activists say, with crimes ranging from watching a South Korean DVD to trying to defect from the country.People can be jailed by the regime for almost anything, activists say, with crimes ranging from watching a South Korean DVD to trying to defect from the country.
Political prisoners are often sent to separate prisons- usually brutal labour camps, which involve difficult physical work such as mining and logging. Political prisoners are often sent to separate prisons - usually brutal labour camps, which involve difficult physical work such as mining and logging.
How harsh is prison in North Korea?
American missionary Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to hard labour, was himself forced to work on a farm six days a week despite being in poor health.American missionary Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to hard labour, was himself forced to work on a farm six days a week despite being in poor health.
The last American to be freed - Otto Warmbier, who was jailed for stealing a hotel sign - was released last year but was fatally ill, and died shortly after returning home.The last American to be freed - Otto Warmbier, who was jailed for stealing a hotel sign - was released last year but was fatally ill, and died shortly after returning home.
The cause of death remains unexplained.The cause of death remains unexplained.
More on North KoreaMore on North Korea