Washington: Two American woman journalists, detained in North Korea for five months, had an emotional reunion with their families on Wednesday after former US President Bill Clinton secured their release following a surprise diplomatic mission to the reclusive Communist country.
An aircraft carrying Clinton, Euna Lee (36) and Laura Ling (32) touched down amid tight security at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank outside Los Angeles. A large crowd, including a battery of mediapersons, had gathered for the arrival.
North Korea's top leader Kim Jong Il granted a "special pardon" to the two - who were arrested in March for allegedly illegally entering the country through China - after Clinton's brief and unannounced trip to Pyongyang.
The women were sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labour on charges of entering the country illegally to conduct a smear campaign. North Korean media reported that Clinton had apologised to Kim for the behaviour of the two scribes.
Clinton expressed "words of sincere apology to Kim Jong Il for hostile acts committed by Ling and Lee against North Korea after intruding into it from China," North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported. However, the US denied that any apology was made.
The White House said it is "enormously pleased" with the release of the women.