Two American journalists are on their way back to the United States following their release from imprisonment in North Korea. Euna Lee and Laura Ling of Current TV were freed after a visit by former President Bill Clinton. On Tuesday, Clinton met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and held what North Korean state media described as “wide ranging” and “exhaustive” talks. The freed journalists are on their way to Los Angeles to reunite with their families. The father of Laura Ling, Douglas Ling, welcomed the news of his daughter’s release.

Douglas Ling: “I’m so glad, and I’m so thankful for all the people that—their prayers and thoughts. I’m very thankful to the State Department. I’m very thankful for the government for doing all they can to gain their release.”

“It has been an emotional yo-yo, positive and then negative. You know, one day is good, one day is bad.”

Clinton was the highest-profile American to visit North Korea since his own secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, went there in 2000.