re: draining the value of the hostages.

First, I will assume NK is marginally rational. That is a leap of faith but otherwise proposing a strategy is useless.

The hostages have value to NK as long as the US fumes about it and may make a deal. Otherwise they are a nuisance.

We have multiple issues with NK. But remember other nations deal with them too. Some support the US, most are indifferent.

We should find a third nation (TN) which will link the hostages to their benign dealings with NK.

The mechanism would be: US gives TN a goodie, TN tells NK that TN/NK relations will improve if hostages are released, NK makes a nice gesture to the world and releases them. TN thanks NK. Whole world has a nice day.

All parties deny there were links.

Even Smart Diplomacy Hillary has few options. We should not give anything tangible to NK. But we probably will.