SAN JOSE — Ambassador Robert King, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, will travel to Pyongyang later this week on the invitation of the North Korean government for talks on releasing jailed American missionary Kenneth Bae.

“Ambassador King will request the D.P.R.K. pardon Mr. Bae and grant him special amnesty on humanitarian grounds so that he can be reunited with his family and seek medical treatment,” the State Dept. said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It smells like a done deal to me, so his release is probably in the bag. In the event that it is