Japanese media say former U.S. President Bill Clinton asked for the release of South Korean and Japanese detainees and abductees during his Wednesday visit to North Korea.

Clinton made a surprise visit to the reclusive state on a chartered plane to secure the release of two American journalists Pyongyang had been detaining since March.

The Japanese news outlets say that although top U.S. officials have confirmed Clinton’s request on behalf of Seoul and Tokyo, it remains unclear whether the former U.S. president made the request directly to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.