DHAKA: Jeffrey Fowle, one of three US citizens detained in North Korea, has been released.

State department spokeswoman Marie Harf confirmed that Fowle was on his way home on Tuesday following negotiations, reports BBC.

She said the US was working to secure the release of two other US nationals, Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae, who remain in detention in North Korea.

The US has accused North Korea of using the detained Americans as pawns in a diplomatic game.

Fowle, 56, entered North Korea on 29 April and was detained in early June as he was leaving the country. He was charged with "anti-state" crimes.

He was reported to have left a Bible in the toilet of a restaurant in the northern port city of Chongjin but his family has insisted that he was not on a mission for his church.

Missionary activity is considered a crime in North Korea.

BDST: 1153 HRS, OCT 22, 2014