North Korea may release US detainees today

North Korea is expected to release three United States citizens on Wednesday, who had been held captives by the country under the charges of espionage against the government.

As reported by the Yonhap News agency, South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae termed it a goodwill gesture by North before the upcoming summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and United States President Donald Trump.

Three US citizens Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-Chul have been held in North Korea on charges of espionage or "hostile acts" against the government.

It is said that the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who is on his second trip to North Korea in one month is expected to return along with the captives.

Earlier on Tuesday Trump tweeted, "As everybody is aware, the past Administration has long been asking for three hostages to be released from a North Korean Labor camp, but to no avail. Stay tuned!"

An official said that Pompeo is also expected to announce the venue, date and timings of the US-North Korea summit.

Earlier, it was reported that North Korea shifted the three detainees from a labour camp to a hotel on the outskirts of Pyongyang.