The three Korean-Americans released from captivity in North Korea issued a statement Wednesday night when their plane, occupied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, stopped in Alaska for refueling as they prepared for a homecoming in Washington, D.C.
Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song, and Tony Kim were freed during Pompeo's brief visit to North Korea on Wednesday.
"We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President [Donald] Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the United States for bringing us home," the statement reads. "We thank God and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God bless America, the greatest nation in the world."
Kim Dong Chul had been held by the North Koreans since October 2015. Kim Hak Song and Tony Kim were captured last spring. Their release is part of peace negotiations between the United States and North Korea.
Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are slated to meet for an historic peace summit in the coming weeks, the subject of which is denuclearizing North Korea.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.