Three Americans freed home by N. Korea head

North Korea released three American prisoners and handed them over to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, clearing a major obstacle to an unprecedented summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The men, who were freed after Pompeo met Kim, were on their way home aboard the chief US diplomat's plane, and Trump said he would greet them when they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Thursday morning.

"We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the United States for bringing us home," the three said in a statement released by the State Department as their plane stopped over in Alaska.

"We thank God, and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God Bless America, the greatest nation in the world."