Release of 3 Americans detained in North Korea is reportedly 'imminent'

The release of three Americans being held in North Korea is "imminent," a U.S. official with knowledge of the matter told CNN on Wednesday.

The North Korean government decided to let the Americans go two months ago, and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho brought up their release while visiting Sweden in March, CNN reports. On Wednesday night, President Trump tweeted that "the past Administration has long been asking for three hostages to be released from a North Korean Labor camp, but to no avail. Stay tuned!"

Only one of the Americans, Kim Dong Chul, has been in custody longer than Trump has been president; he was arrested in 2015, accused of spying on North Korea on behalf of South Korea. The others, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk, also known as Tony Kim, were both employees of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, and were arrested last spring. They have been accused of carrying out "hostile acts" against the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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