Emotional return for two US men freed by North Korea

Their departure was secured through a secret mission by America’s intelligence chief to the reclusive communist country.

Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae flew back to Joint Base Lewis-McChord with James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, the highest-ranking American to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade.

Family members met both men with hugs as they emerged from their plane.

“Thank you all for supporting me, lifting me up, not forgetting me,” Mr Bae told reporters. He also thanked the North Korean government for letting him come home.

President Barack Obama said at the White House earlier: “Obviously we are very grateful for their safe return.”

Mr Bae, a Korean-American missionary with health problems, was serving a 15-year sentence for alleged anti-government activities. He was detained in 2012.

Mr Miller was serving a six-year jail term on charges of espionage after he allegedly ripped up his tourist visa at Pyongyang airport in April and demanded asylum.