A pro-North Korean newspaper, the Choson Sinbo, has reported on the possible direction of U.S.-DPRK relations in what appears to be the first response to U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s recent visit to Pyongyang.

Clapper’s visit on Saturday was aimed at securing the release of American citizens Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller, who had been arrested and interned in North Korea after being charged with various anti-state crimes.

The Japan-based newspaper noted that a visit to Pyongyang by such a high-ranking official carried “more than a symbolic meaning,” and that attention is now focused on whether it will