Photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un (L) talking with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, DPRK, Oct. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/KCNA)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the United States appreciates the release of an American citizen by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
In a statement issued by the State Department, Pompeo said, "The United States appreciates the cooperation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the embassy of Sweden in facilitating the release of an American citizen."
The DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported earlier on Friday that the country had decided to deport a U.S. citizen detained for illegally entering the country.
The U.S. citizen, named Bruce Byron Lowrance, was detained on Oct. 16 in the DPRK, the KCNA said, adding that during the investigation, Lowrance confessed he made the entry under the direction of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
The report did not say when Lowrance would be deported.