North Korea Releases American Arrested For Bible In Hotel Room

North Korea has reportedly released one American detainee, although two other Americans remain imprisoned in the Asian country.

Jeffrey Fowle, a Christian American, was arrested in North Korea back in May after leaving a Bible in his hotel room. He is now reportedly on his way home after being released from detention in the country. Fowle will reportedly take a connection flight from North Korea to Guam before heading to the United States.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest addressed Fowle's release on Tuesday, saying the U.S. welcomed North Korea's decision to release the American. The U.S. reportedly arranged Fowle's transportation back to the states once he was released.

According to the New York Times, Fowle's release has eased, but not ended, the tense relationship between the U.S. and North Korea. Two other detainees, Matthew Miller and Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, remain in captivity in North Korea. Earnest said Tuesday that the U.S. implores North Korea to "immediately release" the other two Americans.

"We certainly welcome the decision from the DPRK to release [Fowle]," Earnest told reporters. "While this was a positive decision by the DPRK, we remain focused on the continued detention of Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller and again call on the DPRK to immediately release them."

Earnest added that because the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, Sweden played an important role in releasing Fowle, a 56-year-old municipal worker from Ohio with three children. Many have said they believe North Korea accused Fowle of proselytizing his Christian religion when he left the Bible in his hotel room in the country's capital of Pyongyang.