Pompeo returning from North Korea with freed Americans

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on his way back from North Korea, bringing three American detainees with him. President Donald Trump announced the men’s release on Twitter Wednesday morning. He plans to greet them when they arrive at Andrews Air Force base early Thursday morning. Pompeo made the surprise visit to Pyongyang on Tuesday to finalize the details of a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump said Tuesday the time and date are set but won’t be announced until later. Pompeo told reporters he expects the meeting to take place later this month or in early June. “For decades, we have been adversaries. Now we are hopeful that we can work together to resolve this conflict,” Pompeo said, adding that “there are many challenges along the way.” Kim denied his sudden interest in better relations with the United States and South Korea had anything to do with sanctions, but said he wanted to “concentrate all efforts into economic progress.” The three men returning with Pompeo to the United States faced accusations of anti-state activities, but most viewed their detentions as politically motivated. Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song, and Tony Kim were jailed for between one and two years each.