Several US agencies and a couple of other countries played a part in their release. The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, is accompanying them back home.
One of the men, Kenneth Bae, 46, is a Korean-American missionary. He was arrested while leading a tour group and was sentenced to 15 years hard labor. He had been in prison for two years. After a while, he developed poor health and was hospitalized.
The other man, Miller, 24, was arrested on charges on espionage. He apparently ripped up his tourist visa and wanted asylum. North Korea claimed espionage because Miller wanted an inside look at prison life in the country and later report on the human rights situation there.
The details about what brought about their release have not been revealed. If there were talks with North Korea, it will probably not be admitted. President Obama will be traveling to Asia to visit three countries.
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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/08/north-korea-americans-kenneth-bae-matthew-todd-miller/18707887/
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Photo Credit: Unchanged; from https://www.flickr.com/photos/timpearcelosgatos/3557791151
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Keywords: North Korea, releases, two Americans, Bae, Miller, Clapper