North Korea freed two Americans, Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller, from prison and they returned to the United States on Saturday after the surprise involvement of the top-ranking U.S. intelligence official in their release. Bae, a missionary from Washington state, was arrested in North Korea in November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years hard labor for crimes against the state. Miller, who reportedly was tried on an espionage charge, had been in custody since April this year and sentenced to six years of hard labor.
Americans Freed by North Korea Arrive in United States
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Kenneth Bae (L) reunites with his family at U.S. Air Force Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Fort Lewis, Washington, Nov. 8, 2014.
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Matthew Miller, who had been held in North Korea since April 2014, is greeted after arriving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Nov. 8, 2014.
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Matthew Todd Miller, center, facing camera, reunites with his family members after landing at McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Nov. 8, 2014.
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Family members watch as Kenneth Bae, right, freed during a top-secret mission, talks to reporters after he arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Nov. 8, 2014.