Probably because Pyongyang considered him the most minor of the three offenders, and may believe that releasing him could improve abysmal U.S. relations and even temper growing international criticism of its human-rights record. Christian evangelism can lead to harsh punishment and even prison time in North Korea, but Fowle was not seen as having planned out any larger, systematic attempt to violate North Korean laws. The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Fowle's release was a "special measure" by leader Kim Jong Un, "taking into consideration the repeated requests" of President Barack Obama. During his brief trial six weeks ago, North Korean prosecutors said he admitted to the "wild ambition" of experiencing prison life so that he could secretly investigate North Korea's human rights situation. Bae is suffering from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, an enlarged heart and liver problems. North Korea is trying to counter criticism of its human-rights situation following the release earlier this year of a groundbreaking U.N.