I think it's good that Bill Clinton did this, and I respect him for doing so. For those that think this gives incentive for North Korea to do the same in the future and make further demands, I don't think this has to happen. I think we need to make it clear that anyone that travels in that area now does so at their own risk.
It
never HAS to happen. Let's not get into blaming the victims here. That border area they were seized in has been more or less fluid for decades, and everyone travelling there knows it's at their own peril.
However there is no question that appeasement of this sort does encourage more bad behavior. We don't know if it will in this case, when, if or in what form it might take. Not saying Chia Head will grab more Americans, but hell, since we rewarded him for doing so, he's got no reason not to do it again if a opportunity arises.
As I said, I have no idea what decision I personally would have made on this. Therefore, I tip my hat to a job well done that turned out well, and wait for the other shoe to drop.