White House: It Is ‘A Sign of Goodwill’ If North Korea Releases US Hostages

The White House "can't confirm the validity of the reports” relating to the release of three U.S. citizens detained in North Korea, said press secretary Sarah Sanders at a press briefing on Thursday. “But, we certainly would see this as a sign of goodwill if North Korea were to release the three Americans ahead of discussions between President Trump and Kim Jong Un.” Korean media Naver reported earlier that three U.S. citizens—Kim Dong-cheol, Kim Sang-deok, and Kim Hak-seong —would be released before or during the upcoming summit.