Trump welcomes Americans freed by North Korea back to the US

US President Donald Trump greeted three Americans released by North Korea at an air base near Washington early today, underscoring a much needed diplomatic win and a stepping stone to a historic summit with Kim Jong Un.

Trump and first lady Melania made the short helicopter ride from the White House to Joint Base Andrews to personally welcome Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul back to the United States, after their release from North Korea yesterday.

The president and his wife strode up the steps into the blue and white plane to greet them privately before coming out before TV cameras in the middle of the night.

Trump praised Kim for freeing the Americans ahead of the planned summit between the two leaders.

One of the former prisoners waved his arms from atop the steps, and another while down on the tarmac.

"It was understood that we would be able to get these three terrific people during the meeting and bring them home after the meeting," Trump said.

"He was nice in letting them go before the meeting. Frankly, we didn't think this was going to happen. And it did." Remarking on the sudden shift in US relations with North Korea and the upcoming summit, Trump said: "We're starting off on a new footing... he released the folks early. It's a big thing. Very important to me.

"And I really think we have a very good chance of doing something very meaningful and if anybody would have said that five years ago, 10 years ago -- even a year ago -- you would have said that's not possible."
"We thank God, and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God Bless America, the greatest nation in the world." The family of Tony Kim also voiced gratitude to "all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home" -- and specifically thanking Trump for "engaging directly with North Korea."
Before the plane's arrival Trump described the men's release as "a gesture of goodwill." The White House said Trump spoke with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in yesterday about Pompeo's visit to North Korea, and that the two presidents welcomed the release of the Americans and "expressed hope for joyful family reunions."
"I think that Chairman Kim is trying to set good conditions for the summit. I think we are having good conversations, productive conversations," Pompeo said. "We're planning on it will be a single day, but in the event that there is more to discuss, there'll be an opportunity for it to extend into the second day as well."