CNNI: Sweden Represents U.S. in Talks to Release Three Americans in N. Korea Prison

RUSH EXCERPT:
HANCOCKS: "Well, rosemary, this is part of an ongoing effort that we understand would have been happening for some time. Obviously Sweden does represent the United States when it comes to North Korea, as North Korea does not have diplomatic ties or an embassy in Pyongyang. Sweden has been involved in the past when it comes to trying to secure the release of detained Americans. There are three still in detention. The source close to these discussions tells CNN that they are trying to point out to north Korea that it would show that things are moving in the right direction ahead of that potential meeting between the U.S. President Donald Trump and north Korean leader Kim Jong-un. So certainly that's what we are expecting at this point. I don't think it would come as any surprise to hear that there are some efforts to be able to release these three men. We've also heard from the south Korean side as well independently that there have been efforts to try and secure the release of six south Koreans who were detained currently in North Korea. Ahead of that meeting between the north and the south Korean leaders. Experts saying it really is a fairly easy way of North Korea showing willing and showing that it is moving things in the right direction."