Three Americans released by North Korea have arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base near Washington where they have been met by President Donald Trump. The White House said the trio had been freed as a gesture of goodwill ahead of the planned meeting between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The released men had earlier thanked Mr Trump for securing their freedom. Mr Trump has said that the venue for the summit will be announced within three days. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary [of State Mike] Pompeo and the people of the United States for bringing us home, Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul said in an earlier statement. We thank God and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. The three men had been jailed for anti-state activities and placed in labour camps. Their release came during a visit to Pyongyang by Mr Pompeo to arrange details of the meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Kim. I appreciate Kim Jong-un doing this and allowing them to go, Mr Trump said. The trio flew out of North Korea with Mr Pompeo on a US Air Force plane before switching to an aircraft with better medical equipment at the Yokota Air Force Base near Tokyo. All indications are at this point that their health is as good as could be given that theyve been held, Mr Pompeo said. Kim Jong-un said he accepted a US proposal to grant the three detainees an amnesty, adding that his meeting with President Trump would be an excellent first step towards improving the situation on the Korean peninsula, according to the North Korean state news agency KCNA. One of the detainees was jailed in 2015, the other two have been in prison for just over a year. Their convictions have been widely condemned as political and an abuse of human rights. Who are the freed Americans? Kim Hak-song was held on suspicion of hostile acts in May 2017. He had previously described himself as a Christian missionary who intended to start an experimental farm at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) Tony Kim, also known as Kim Sang-duk, also worked at PUST. He was detained in April 2017 on espionage charges. According to South Korean media, he had been involved in humanitarian work in the North. Kim Dong-chul, a pastor in his early 60s, was detained in 2015 on spying charges, and was then sentenced to 10 years hard labour. Who are North Koreas American detainees? What has the reaction been? South Koreas presidential Blue House said the prisoners release would have a positive effect on upcoming negotiations. Spokesman Yoon Young-chan also called upon the North to release six South Koreans it has in prison. In order to reinforce reconciliation between South Korea and North Korea and to spread peace on the Korean peninsula, we wish for a swift repatriation of South Korean detainees, Mr Yoon said. In a statement provided to the BBC, the family of Tony Kim said they want to thank all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home. We also want to thank the President for engaging directly with North Korea, the family said. American missionary Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to hard labour, later said he was forced to work on a farm six days a week despite being in poor health. The last American to be freed - Otto Warmbier, who was jailed for stealing a hotel sign - was released last year but was fatally ill, and died shortly after returning home. His parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, said they were happy for the hostages and their families. We miss Otto. How are the summit preparations going? The time, date and location have been decided, according to Mr Trump, but not yet announced. He said the talks would not be held at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea, one of the suggested venues, and Singapore remains the most likely option. Mr Pompeo said there had been good and productive conversations with Mr Kim. Were planning it will be a single day, but in the event that there is more to discuss, therell be an opportunity for it to extend into the second day as well, Mr Pompeo said. The key issue, of course, will be North Koreas nuclear weapons, which Mr Trump has demanded Pyongyang give up. There has been no word from North Korea on its agenda or what it might offer, although a key issue is certain to be the presence of 30,000 US military personnel in South Korea, along with the removal of sanctions.
