President Trump greeted three American prisoners released by North Korea early Thursday morning as the men touched down on American soil; welcoming the US citizens as they returned after years of captivity under the communist regime.
The Commander-in-Chief and First Lady Melania Trump awaited the prisoners as they arrived alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 2:00am.
On behalf of the American people, WELCOME HOME! pic.twitter.com/hISaCI95CB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2018
Soon after disembarking the plane, Kim Dong Chul, Kim Sang-duk, and Kim Hak Song “thanked” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for their immediate release.
The transfer of the three prisoners to US custody sets the stage for high-level negotiations between Kim Jong Un and President Trump, who called the possibility of “denuclearization” the highest priority of his presidency.
“My proudest achievement will be – this is part of it – when we denuclearize that entire peninsula,” said Trump. “We very much appreciate that [Kim] allowed them to go before the meeting.”
COMING HOME: Kim Jong Un Releases THREE American Prisoners
Three American prisoners held by North Korea have been released following high-level meetings between the communist regime and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, reports Fox News.
President Trump confirmed their release on social media Wednesday morning; adding the Americans were “in the air” and on their way back to the United States alongside the Secretary of State.
“I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health. Also, good meeting with Kim Jong Un. Date & Place set,” tweeted the President.
I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health. Also, good meeting with Kim Jong Un. Date & Place set.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2018
The decision to release the prisoners sets the stage for the President’s highly-anticipated meeting with Kim Jong Un, the first face-to-face discussion between the leaders of the US and North Korea in history.
SCHUMER MELTDOWN: Chuck Schumer SLAMS Trump for Prisoner Release
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer bizarrely attacked the Trump administration Wednesday over the successful release of three American prisoners held by North Korea; suggesting the hostages were used as “bargaining chips.”
Schumer offered his scathing critique just hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left the Korean peninsula with the three prisoners by his side; saying “No regime has the right to hold American citizens in captivity without cause, and under no circumstances should American citizens be viewed as bargaining chips.”
Schumer warns Trump against using hostages as "bargaining chips" after release of Americans in North Korea https://t.co/UBW6YP7d41 pic.twitter.com/jGn6jk9EQY
— The Hill (@thehill) May 9, 2018
“If countries in the world think they can detain Americans and get something in return, we’ll see many more hostages,” he added.
The liberal legislator went on to say he was “rooting for” the Trump administration’s upcoming negotiations with the communist regime but added that “hostages shouldn’t be a part of it.”