Lynnwood man among two prisoners freed by North Korea, comes home

my newsThe last two Americans held in North Korea made a jubilant landing on Washington state soil Saturday night after the director of national intelligence, James Clapper Jr., secured their freedom on a secret mission.

Our news partner, the Seattle Times, reports that Kenneth Bae, 46, of Lynnwood, and Matthew Todd Miller landed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord shortly before 9 p.m. and emerged on the base tarmac to the embraces of family members and supporters. Bae’s mother led the way, rushing forward to hug her son.

In a news conference Saturday night, Bae thanked President Obama, the State Department and the public for helping his family through a “tremendously difficult time.” He also thanked people for not forgetting him — and not forgetting the people of North Korea. “It’s been an amazing two years,” Bae said. “I’ve learned a lot. I grew a lot (and) lost a lot of weight — in a good way. I’m standing strong because of you.”

Read the story here.

  1. Even though I don’t know Kenneth Bae or his family, I was very happy to hear he’d been released by North Korea and arrived home here in Lynnwood after his 2-year-long imprisonment and after his family’s valiant and continuing efforts to secure his release. Unbelievably, according to Sat., Nov. 8’s national news story in which reporters came to Lynnwood to interview citizens about Bae’s release, most of those interviewed had never even heard of him!

    Welcome home Kenneth Bae!

    Maribeth Johnson, Lynnwood

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