U.S. Korean War veteran Merrill Newman has been freed by “a relevant institution” of North Korea and is en route home back to California.

His release was announced by state media outlet Korea Central News Agency just a few minutes after Newman left North Korea aboard Air Koryo flight JS 151.

JS 151 was the same flight that Newman was removed from in late October.

Newman briefly spoke to press in Beijing airport, prior to boarding a United Airlines flight for California.

“I’m very glad to be on my way home,” Mr Newman told Japanese reporters as he arrived at Beijing