SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RELEASE OF UNITED STATES JOURNALISTS

BY DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the release of the two American journalists during the visit to Pyongyang by former United States President Bill Clinton.  He appreciates the decision of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to release them as a humanitarian consideration, responding to the repeated calls by the international community.  The Secretary-General commends and congratulates former President Clinton for his successful humanitarian mission.

Taking this opportunity, the Secretary-General reiterates his hope that dialogue will resume at the earliest possible time between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the parties concerned towards resolving outstanding concerns, including the nuclear issue.

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For information media • not an official record