1. The government of the Republic of Korea welcomes the release of the three US citizens and their safe return home to their families on May 9 after their being detained in North Korea.

2. The release is expected to help to foster a positive mood for the success of the US-North Korea summit talks to come in the near future.

3. The government of the Republic of Korea hopes for an early release and repatriation of the six ROK nationals long and still held in North Korea.

* unofficial translation