US stresses its intel chief's North Korea visit is strictly humanitarian

The United States had given South Korea advance notice about its intel chief's visit to North Korea, emphasizing that the visit is strictly for humanitarian purposes and does not signal any policy changes toward Pyongyang, a Seoul official said Sunday.
James Clapper, director of national intelligence, flew into Pyongyang and obtained the release of two Americans who had been held in the North for "anti-state" crimes and "hostile acts."
   The South Korean official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said Seoul was told of Clapper's trip ahead of time and had expressed its stance.