Bill Clinton's visit to North Korea was the highest profile visit to the country since he was president nearly a decade ago [AFP] Clinton met Kim Jong-il, the country's leader in a bid to negotiate the release of two American journalists [AFP] According to North Korean state media, Clinton had an "exhaustive conversation" with Kim and his aides[AFP] State media also said that Clinton passed on a message from Barack Obama, the US president [AFP] But US officials denied the claims and emphasised the private nature of Clinton's trip [AFP] Clinton's effort to release Laura Ling and Euna Lee proved successful with Kim granting them a pardon [Reuters] Lee, far left, and Ling, centre, arrived in California on Wednesday where they were greeted at the airport by their relatives. [GALLO/GETTY]
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![Clinton met Kim Jong-il, the country's leader in a bid to negotiate the release of two American journalists [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/20098524118430351_20.jpeg)
![According to North Korean state media, Clinton had an "exhaustive conversation" with Kim and his aides[AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/20098524747299842_20.jpeg)
![State media also said that Clinton passed on a message from Barack Obama, the US president [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/200985253873630_20.jpeg)
![But US officials denied the claims and emphasised the private nature of Clinton's trip [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/20098532253666521_20.jpeg)
![Clinton's effort to release Laura Ling and Euna Lee proved successful with Kim granting them a pardon [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/20098525929583337_20.jpeg)
![Lee, far left, and Ling, centre, arrived in California on Wednesday where they were greeted at the airport by their relatives. [GALLO/GETTY]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/200985141722472833_20.jpeg)
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