Family in Ohio greets man released from North Korea
<p>Jeffrey Fowle is greeted by his son and other family members upon his arrival early Wednesday at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Fowle was detained for nearly half a year in North Korea after leaving a Bible at a nightclub. Christian evangelism is considered a crime in North Korea. (AP photo)</p>
Family members of Jeffrey Fowle emotionally greeted the West Carrollton, Ohio, man Wednesday morning after he spent more than five months as a detainee in North Korea.
Fowle’s three children and his wife, Tatyana, rushed to embrace him as he quickly bounded down the steps of a blue and white Air Force C-40 jet that reportedly carried him from North Korea to Guam and Hawaii before landing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at 6:42 a.m.
Fowle’s children were not told their father was coming home before they greeted him, said Col. John M. Devillier, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing, who was part of an entourage that met Fowle on the tarmac.
“I got teary eyed,” Devillier said. “The reaction from his children was priceless. They hadn’t seen their dad in some time and the expectation would be that they would get teary-eyed and they did and I did too. It’s great to welcome him home.”
Later, Fowle appeared with his attorney, wife and children outside his home. He did not comment, but gave a thumbs up when asked how he was doing.
His attorney, Tim Tepe, read the following statement to the media:
“Jeff is home. We’d like thank God for his hand of protection over Jeff these past six months, providing strength and peace over his family in his absence. The family would like to thank the U.S. State Department, the embassy of Sweden, former Ambassador Tony Hall and all the people who have offered their love, support and prayers during this time. Although we are overjoyed by Jeff’s return home, we are mindful that Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller continue to be detained in the DPRK, and understand the disappointment their families are experiencing today that their loved ones did not return home with Jeff.
“Jeff would like you to know that he was treated well by the government of the DPRK and he is currently in good health. The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind for Jeff and his family. Jeff needs some time right now to get adjusted to his life at home.”
Pastor Tom Pendergrass with Urbancrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Ohio, where Fowle attended, said “We are rejoicing that Jeff Fowle has been released. We plan to have a special time of prayer and celebration at the end of both our services Sunday.”
Fowle had been held by North Korean authorities since May after he allegedly left a Bible in a public place. North Korean authorities consider Christian evangelism a crime.
Fowle, 56, is a former equipment operator for the city of Moraine. In September, the city of Moraine terminated his employment after his leave from his job was exhausted.
Fowle was one of three U.S. citizens detained in the Democratic Republic of Korea, a communist nation largely isolated from the rest of the world.