Former US envoy hopes detained American will be freed soon

A former U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Friday he expressed "regret" to North Korea over its cancellation of a U.S. envoy's visit regarding jailed American Kenneth Bae and stated his hope that he will be "soon" freed. "When we heard that he was not going to be released, I expressed regret and said that I hope he would be released soon," Donald Gregg told reporters upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport after wrapping up a five-day visit to North Korea. Gregg, who heads a U.S. civic group and served as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea from 1989-1993, said the issue of Kenneth Bae was not part of his agenda during this week's trip to Pyongyang. However, Gregg said he held "very interesting" talks with North Korean officials.