In early November, the last two American detainees in North Korea were freed and brought back by James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence. Clapper was sent  after North Korea stated that they would only set the two men free if a high-ranking official came to pick them up. Kenneth Bae, forty-six years old, and Matthew Todd Miller, twenty-five years old, landed in a U.S. air force base in Washington State late at night.

Bae returned home to his family after his arrest in North Korea two years ago. In November, 2012, he was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor for unspecified hostile actions. He was originally in the country as a tour guide and a missionary. His arrest was particularly disconcerting due to his bad health. His family said that he suffered from diabetes, an enlarged heart, liver problems, and back pain.

North Korea is famous for their human rights violations. However, when he returned he showed a surprising amount of spirit for what he had gone through. Bae took a horrible experience and made himself stronger. He was arrested without cause over seas in a hostile country and separated from his family, but he came back stronger and wiser than ever. He describes his ordeal as a learning experience and that was exactly what it was.

Matthew Todd Miller was also arrested for hostile actions against North Korea. The North Korean government accused him of trying to be arrested so that he could experience prison life and then report back to the U.S. According to Pyongyang, he was arrested in April after tearing up his tourist visa and demanding asylum. He was sentenced to six years hard labor, but, like Bae, was freed Saturday.

It is not, however, only North Korea whose motives are questionable. Miller’s actions in North Korea are very similar to Edward Snowden’s in Russia. Some people were wondering if he was trying to replicate Snowden. Fortunately, this time no crucial and embarrassing American secrets were leaked into the wrong hands.

President Obama and many high ranking officials congratulated Bae and Miller on their return. Clapper was also giving many congratulations on the success of the mission. The Swedish government also deserves recognition because of their hard work alongside the U.S. to get the men their freedom.  Myla Brilliant, ‘17, remarked, “It is refreshing to hear that these two Americans made it safely back home.”