The U.S. government called for the release of three Americans held prisoner in North Korea on Monday, hours after the communist country allowed news outlets to interview the prisoners.
"Out of humanitarian concern for Jeffrey Fowle, Matthew Miller, and their families, we request the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] release them so they may return home," State Department spokeswoman Jen Pskai said according to The Guardian.
"We also request the DPRK pardon Kenneth Bae and grand him special amnesty and immediate release so he may reunite with his family and seek medical care."
Before Pskai's statement, Fowle, Miller and Bae told news outlets including the Associated Press and CNN their only hope of being freed is if the U.S. intervenes.
Bae, 46, was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for allegedly planning to overthrow the government. He said he has been going "back and forth" from the hospital to the labor camp for over a year due to health problems, including diabetes and an enlarged heart.
"Right now, like last month and a half, my health's been, or so, it's been failing," the Christian missionary told CNN.
North Korea is holding Fowle, 56, for allegedly leaving a bible in a hotel. Miller, 24, was detained after he tore up his visa and requested asylum. All three said they signed statements admitting their guilt. CNN was not able to determine under what conditions the men are being held.
All three hope the U.S. will send an envoy to help secure their release, like former President Bill Clinton did for two detained journalists in 2009.
Negotiating their release is possible, according to former U.N. ambassador Bill Richardson, who has helped convince North Korea to release American prisoners before. The fact the government allowed the interviews suggests they are open to making a deal.
"The North Koreans are sending signals to the U.S. that they are ready to deal," Richardson told USA Today. "Specifically, they are saying that the three Americans are bargaining chips."
