LOS ANGELES, Aug 5 - When billionaire Steve Bing heard his friend Bill Clinton was embarking on a mission to free US journalists in North Korea, Mr Bing offered his jet — a personal favour that could cost $200,000.

Avjet Corp, the charter company that operates and manages Mr Bing’s Boeing business jet, was alerted on Friday to prepare to fly to North Korea, said Andrew Bradley, senior vice president of the Burbank, Calif.-based company.