Dem senator: N. Korean release of Americans was ‘overdue’

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said the release of two Americans from North Korea was “long overdue.”

“Their release from the DPRK was long overdue and very welcome,” Cardin said Sunday. “I commend the efforts of both the Obama administration and our international partners in safely bringing these two Americans home.”

{mosads}Cardin’s comments came after Director of National Intelligence James Clapper brought Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller back to the United States. Sweden also helped negotiate the release.

Cardin serves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs. He said he closely followed the two cases and urged for their release. Bae was held for nearly two years.

The United States does not have regular diplomatic relations with North Korea, a communist country that has made nuclear threats against the West.