Trump welcomes back Americans freed by North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) waves as he arrives with wife Melania (2nd R) ahead of the return of US detainees Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul after they were freed by North Korea, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 10, 2018.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) waves as he arrives with wife Melania (2nd R) ahead of the return of US detainees Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul after they were freed by North Korea, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 10, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AFP

A plane carrying three Americans released by North Korea landed at a military base bear Washington early on Thursday to be welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania.

A large US flag is set up ahead of the arrival of US detainees Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul after they were freed by North Korea, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 10, 2018.

A large US flag is set up ahead of the arrival of US detainees Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul after they were freed by North Korea, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 10, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AFP

North Korea released the three - Kim Dong-chul, Kim Sang-duk, also known as Tony Kim, and Kim Hak-song - and handed them over to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang on Wednesday, clearing a major obstacle to an unprecedented summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

This file picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 25, 2016, shows Kim Dong-chul, a Korean-American as he addresses a news conference in Pyongyang.

This file picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 25, 2016, shows Kim Dong-chul, a Korean-American as he addresses a news conference in Pyongyang.   | Photo Credit: AFP

Trump and First Lady Melania walked up the stairs to board the plane after it landed at Joint Base Andrews, a military base outside Washington DC, at around 2.40 a.m. (0640 GMT).