> reporter: on an unannounced yet high-profile trip to north korea, success for former president, bicllln,in toand two detained american journalists. after meeting with them, they pardoned them who were air forced on march 17, near the north korean china border and ordered their release. it's unclear what, if anything, north korea will receive in return, but some analysts say that the prestige of a visit from a former united states president may be enough. >> the connections and the history, all point to bill clinton being the right man at the right moment. >> i think it is highly unlikely he would go there without some signal from the north koreans in advance that this trip was going to be successful. >> ling and lee who worked for current tv were charged and convicted of illegal entry and so-called hostile acts, sentenced to 12 years in hard labor. in recent months, north korea, they have antagonized them with nuclear and missile tests. the white house press secretary, robert gibs, calls it a private mission and responded to criticism that a visit from a big name like clinton rewards no