An 85-year-old U.S. tourist and war veteran flew to freedom Saturday aboard a San Francisco-bound flight after being deported by North Korea.
Merrill Newman was detained in Pyongyang for more than a month for alleged “hostile acts” against the isolated and authoritarian North East Asian state.
Moments after landing in California, Newman looked delighted yet tired as he thanked Swedish and American embassies for their efforts to get him back to the United States.
“I’m delighted to be home,” said Newman as he stood alongside his wife and son. “It’s been a great homecoming. I’m tired but I’m ready to be with my family now. Thank you all for the support we got. I very much appreciate it.”
Newman didn’t take questions from a crowd of reporters gathered at the airport and quickly walked off holding his wife’s hand.
Earlier in Beijing, Newman told reporters that he was happy to be returning home to Palo Alto, Calif., after being pulled from a plane leaving Pyongyang on Oct. 26 by North Korean forces.
“I’m very glad to be on my way home,” Newman said. “I appreciate the tolerance the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) government has given to me to be on my way. I feel
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