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U.S. says DPRK releases last two American detainees

09 November 2014 01:23 (UTC +04:00)

"We can confirm that U.S. citizens Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller have been allowed to depart the DPRK and are on their way home," the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement.

It said James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence who engaged in discussions with Pyongyang about the release of the two detainees, was accompanying them on their way home.

The latest development came after the DPRK let go another American detainee Jeffrey Fowle on Oct. 21.

State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki welcomed the DPRK's new move. However, she reiterated the agency's "strong recommendation" against all travel by U.S. citizens to the Asian country.

"We are grateful to Director of National Intelligence Clapper, who engaged on behalf of the United States in discussions with DPRK authorities about the release of the two citizens," Psaki said in a statement.

Psaki also thanked the Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in the DPRK, for its help in securing their release. Washington and Pyongyang do not have diplomatic ties.

So for, there is no immediate comment from the DPRK on the release.

Bae, 42, and Miller, 24, have been held by the DPRK for two years and seven months respectively. They were sentenced to separate hard labor of 15 years and six years by Pyongyang.