Clinton's visit will "contribute to deepening the understanding" between DPRK and the US," KCNA said.

Undated pictures of journalists Laura Ling (L) and Euna Lee are displayed during a public vigil in San Francisco, California, June 24, 2009. [Agencies]

In New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists, welcomed the Lee and Ling's release after more than four months of detention and praised Clinton's role in securing their freedom.

"This has been a long and complex process given the situation on the Korean peninsula. We thank former President Clinton for his intervention and we are grateful that the DPRK government has responded to appeals for clemency," said Deputy Director Robert Mahoney.

A Ling family friend in Sacramento, Marcus Marquez, said he was looking forward to seeing the women back in California.

He said family members had been keeping their hopes up and were heartened by vigils held on the journalists' behalf in San Francisco, Sacramento, Washington and other cities.

"I'm pretty sure they are not going to be fully relieved until they're in their arms," said Marquez, who went to high school with the Ling sisters in Carmichael, a Sacramento suburb, and now owns a popular Sacramento restaurant.