Early this morning, President Trump made history.
Thanks to his tough negotiation style and the diplomatic urging of newly installed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un released three Americans that were imprisoned in his despotic country. President Trump was there to greet the men on the tarmac:
On behalf of the American people, WELCOME HOME! pic.twitter.com/hISaCI95CB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2018
What an incredible success! North Korea is a dangerous country, where men and women often go missing or wind up dead for no other reason other than the regime wishes it so. But Trump wasn’t deterred. Ahead of his historic meeting with leader Kim Jong-un, he’s collecting bargaining chips and using them effectively. First step: free Americans. Second step: end North Korea’s crusade for nuclear weapons.
So who were the prisoners Trump welcomed home last night? Time magazine has all the details on why the men were arrested:
Kim Dong Chul
Chul is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was arrested back in 2015 on charges of espionage. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years of hard labor back in 2016. Chul confessed to spying on behalf of South Korean forces in 2013, though it’s unknown if this admission was coerced. South Korea denies any involvement with Chul.
Tony Kim
Kim was a teacher at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. He was arrested for trying to board a plane, but it was never clear on what charges he was detained.
From the New York Times:
“The cause of his arrest is not known but some officials at P.U.S.T. told me his arrest was not related to his work at P.U.S.T.,” Mr. Park told Reuters. “He had been involved with some other activities outside P.U.S.T., such as helping an orphanage.”
Kim Hak Song
Song also worked at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology and was arrested while attempting to leave the country. He was arrested on charges of carrying out hostile acts against the country, though it was never specified what those acts were.
These men obviously never deserved to be imprisoned in North Korea, and the rogue nation never gave an adequate explanation for their imprisonment. President Trump, however, delivered justice for the detainees and brought them home.
As a special surprise, the family of Otto Warmbier, the last American prisoner freed from North Korea who died shortly after he returned to the U.S., expressed their gratitude for Trump bringing the three men home.
Via Cincinnati.com:
A statement from Warmbier’s parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, was released Wednesday afternoon.
“We are happy for the hostages and their families. We miss Otto,” they said.
The Warmbiers have remained outspoken against the communist country and have filed a lawsuit alleging the regime is responsible for the death of their son.
What a bittersweet ending these men faced while behind bars in a communist country. As Americans, we should be grateful when our president and government is willing to work on behalf of freeing our countrymen from evil dictators.
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