North Korea releases last US prisoners

Two US citizens who were jailed by North Korea for “crimes against the state,” have been released and have arrived back in America on Sunday after being released from labour camps in North Korea.

Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller were were freed after negotiations between North Korea and US director of national intelligence, James Clapper.

In May 2013, Bae – a missionary from Washington - who was then 44, was given a 15-year sentence, after being found guilty of unspecified crimes against the state. He was later reported to be suffering from bad health.

His American co-national, Matthew Miller, a 24-year-old from California, was given a six-year sentence after being found guilty of entering the country illegally and committing “hostile acts” against the state. While at Pyongyang airport in April, he reportedly tore up his entrance visa and demanded asylum.

Diplomatic efforts to free both men had been ongoing. In a statement released on Saturday, the State Department said: “We are grateful to director of national intelligence Clapper, who engaged on behalf of the United States in discussions with North Korean authorities about the release of two citizens.

“The safety and welfare of US citizens abroad is [our] highest priority, and the United States has long called on DPRK authorities to release these individuals on humanitarian grounds. We join their families and friends in welcoming them home,” it said.

Bae and Miller were the last Americans held by North Korea, following the release last month of Jeffrey Fowle. Fowle was held for nearly six months, after being accused of leaving a bible in a nightclub.