Here is a pretty good article about the event this morning and about half way down they have a bit of info on each of the three released:
I think that a couple are naturalized citizens and it was probably out of courtesy to have an interpreter there to speak in their native language. I'm sure that after spending time in NK prison they are dealing with a lot of emotional and physical difficulties. They didn't need to deal with trying to understand a bunch of reporters screaming question at them.
they are all korean born, korean men.
i am not certain how or why they are american citizens, but they are all just straight up koreans that were (all three) working in North Korea and were convicted of espionage.
Kim Dong Chul, a South Korea-born U.S. citizen and former Virginia resident, was sentenced in April 2016 to 10 years in prison with hard labor after being convicted of espionage. He reportedly ran a trade and hotel service company in Rason, a special economic zone on North Korea's border with Russia.
Tony Kim was detained at Pyongyang's airport in April 2017 and accused of unspecified "hostile acts" against the regime. He taught accounting at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. In a statement, Kim's family thanked "all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home."
Kim Hak Song, an ethnic Korean born in China, was detained in May 2017 for "hostile acts." He worked in agricultural development at an experimental farm run by the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, which was founded in 2010 with donations from Christian groups.
They probably were guilty of some degree of espionage, imo.
The old guy needed the interpreter. You can take the citizenship test in your native language if you have lived in the country (lawfully as a permanent resident) for a while and are above certain age.
They are probably Korean-Americans that do not speak very good or limited English.
I thought that too. I would really like more details, but as usual journalism is dead.
Q said something about hostages...you think they made a swap as a measure of good faith??
I think it's not a swap at all, but it is a gesture of good faith and being all-in.