Early Wednesday, North Korea freed three US citizens from prison. The release came less than a week after reports that the prisoners had been relocated to a hotel, pending a release. The three flew out of North Korea with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. They arrived back in the United States overnight, and were met by President Trump.
The prisoner releases were seen as an important goodwill gesture for North Korea to make ahead of an upcoming summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un. It is likely it was timed to coincide with Pompeo’s visit to North Korea.
The three detainees, Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim, and Kim Dong-chul, had been detained on charges of “hostile acts” against North Korea. The charges against them center on espionage allegations, along with Christian missionary work.
US officials praised their release as a positive sign, while President Trump said it was “a wonderful thing.” South Korea also said it should have a “positive effect” on ongoing talks, adding that they hope to get a similar release of detained South Koreans. Six South Koreans are believed to be held, though North Korea insists some of them want to remain in the north of their own free will.
They will need all the good will gestures they can muster. It will be a good start to them giving up their sovereignty and their right to defend themselves since, judging by Trump’s recent actions concerning the JCPOA, that’s what it will take for any kind of agreement with the US.
My bet is that these three were covert CIA operatives in North Korea.
Of course they are spies, the question is who did S Korea release in return.
Sending home some spies is cold war etiquette and plays an important part in diplomatic affairs. They know Trump wants to bask in the limelight of freeing these men so they massage his ego and look for favors in return and they will get something although Trump will not admit to it.