The last two Americans imprisoned in North Korea, Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller, were released without notice Saturday and sent home, U.S. officials said.

Bae and Miller were serving long-term prison sentences in North Korea's infamous labor camps. They reportedly are en route to the U.S. along with James Clapper, U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

Like Us on Facebook

Brian Hale, a spokesman for the national intelligence office, confirmed the release and return in a written statement saying Bae and Miller "have been allowed to depart the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of North Korea] and are on their way home."

While Hale declined to provide additional details, President Obama welcomed the move, telling reporters at the White House that it was a wonderful day for the released detainees and their families. He added: "We're grateful for their return."

Obama praised Clapper for his part in obtaining the prisoners' release saying it was "obviously a challenging mission."

The sudden and surprising release from the world's most insular nation and long-time U.S. adversary came amid a series of puzzling North Korean moves in the last few months that some have called a charm offensive.

That included the sudden appearance of a high-level North Korean delegation in South Korea last month seeking further talks and the disappearance of supreme leader Kim Jong Un who re-emerged a few weeks ago after reportedly undergoing some kind of medical procedure.

The so-called Hermit Kingdom also appeared to struggle with how to respond to increased scrutiny on human rights issues by the United Nations that might result in abuse indictments of top officials by the International Crime Court.

North Korea recently released a third American held in captivity, Jeffrey Fowle, 56, who entered the country on a tourist visa and was arrested for leaving a Bible at a hotel bar.

Miller, 24, from Bakersfield, Calif., traveled as a tourist to North Korea in April. He reportedly tore up his tourist visa and asked for asylum. He was arrested and sentenced in September to six years at a prison camp for "hostile acts."

Bae, 46, an American missionary from Lynnwood, Wash., had been the longest-serving U.S. prisoner. He was arrested in 2012 while leading a tour group in North Korea and sentenced to 15 years at hard labor for "anti-government activities."

TagsNorth Korea, Kenneth Bae, Matthew Miller, Jeffrey Fowle, James Clapper, President Obama