North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has granted a 'special pardon' to two jailed US journalists.
Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32 were detained on 17 March while on a reporting trip to China.
The women, who work for former vice president Al Gore's Current TV, were each sentenced to 12 years 'reform through labour' after being convicted of illegal entry and 'hostile acts'.
The news comes on the day former US president Bill Clinton met Mr Kim as part of a mission to free the two women.
Pyongyang's official state media, the Korean Central News Agency, said that Mr Clinton and Mr Kim shared 'a wide ranging exchange of views' during the meeting.
The agency also reported that Mr Clinton apologised for the behaviour of the women.
The White House remained tight-lipped over the surprise trip by Mr Clinton.
Robert Gibbs, President Obama's press secretary said: 'While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment.
'We do not want to jeopardise the success of former President Clinton's mission.'
The US also denied claims that Mr Clinton had given a message to Mr Kim from President Obama.
The visit was not pre-announced either by officials in Pyongyang or Washington and it came following months of tension on the Korean peninsular.
Mr Clinton left North Korea tonight.
