Trump confirms release of 3 Americans from North Korea

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Mike Pompeo is returning from North Korea with 3 American prisoners.
(Image credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

President Trump confirmed Wednesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is returning from his surprise visit to North Korea with three American prisoners who have been released by Pyongyang. "They seem to be in good health," Trump said, adding that he will greet them at Andrews Air Force Base when they arrive at 2 a.m.

Kim Dong-Chul was arrested in 2015 on the charge of spying on the government while Kim Hak-Song and Tony Kim were charged last year of "hostile acts," Politico reports. The trio's release comes ahead of Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un; the president also confirmed that a date and place for that meeting have been set.

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Jeva Lange
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.