3 Americans imprisoned in North Korea given heroes' welcome by President Trump
The US president and his wife Melania arrived at the Andrews Air Base outside Washington at 2am to greet Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song and Tony Kim and called them 'incredible people'.
In extraordinary scenes Mr Trump and the First Lady first entered the jet that flew the freed prisoners from Pyongyang to America overnight before clapping and cheering the men as they walked down the steps on to American soil.
He said: 'These are great people. Frankly we didn't think this was going to happen but it did. It was important to get these people out'.
Mr Trump also thanked Kim Jong Un for freeing 'the folks early', calling it 'a wonderful thing', adding he believes the North Korean leader 'really wants to do something' and bring the pariah state 'into the real world'.
He added: 'My proudest achievement will be when we denuclearize that entire [Korean] peninsula'.
On the Tarmac a giant American Flag was flown between two Maryland fire trucks with Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and members of the armed forces also there to give them a hero's welcome.
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