The White House said Wednesday it views the release of three Americans detained in North Korea as a “positive gesture of goodwill” ahead of President Trump’s summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump tweeted Wednesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who left for North Korea on Tuesday, was returning to the U.S. with the newly freed U.S. citizens, Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk.
“President Trump appreciates leader Kim Jong Un’s action to release these American citizens, and views this as a positive gesture of goodwill,” the White House said in a statement. “The three Americans appear to be in good condition and were all able to walk on the plane without assistance. All Americans look forward to welcoming them home and to seeing them reunited with their loved ones.”
Pompeo and other U.S. officials traveled to Pyongyang to prepare for Trump’s historic summit with Kim, which is expected to take place in either May or June.
While Pompeo was in North Korea, the regime released the three Americans, who were previously being held in labor camps.
Trump said the secretary of state and three freed Americans will land at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 2 a.m. Thursday, and he plans to greet them upon their arrival in the U.S.
Pompeo said he was thrilled to be returning to the U.S. with the three men.
“I had productive meetings in Pyongyang with Chairman Kim Jong-un and made progress. I’m delighted to bring home three Americans,” he tweeted.
I had productive meetings in Pyongyang with Chairman Kim Jong-un and made progress. I’m delighted to bring home three Americans.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) May 9, 2018
If Trump’s meeting with Kim occurs as planned, it would mark the first time a sitting U.S. president meets with a North Korean leader.
The president said a date and location for the summit has been set, though the details have not been made public.
