Thank You From Laura and Euna

hi,laura and euna its ssssoooooooooo nice to have you back home we have been praying for you both.thank god you are home,rest ladies.laura its good to see your beautiful caring eyes again,god bless you please come back to reporting soon its your calling,ricky

Sounds like transwoman is actually thanking the North Korean government. We should send Kim Jong-il a box of Choco Pies. She forgets that Laura, Mitch, and Euna were supposed to be calling attention to the problems of North Korean refugees in China.
Current should send Euna down to Tucson to interview Robert Park. I can't wait to hear what that idiot says on US soil about his voluntary vacation in Pyongyang.

I love you girls, Welcome back:)

Her daughter will grow up with a brave and smart role model! Our world is better for having these two women in it.

Hopefully this will have taught you both a lesson. Mrs. Saldate you do have a daughter, maybe some though should be given to her the next time you decide to play junior action reporter. I feel sorry for those poor souls whom you comprimised by your misguided actions. How much good will did you cause the U.S. to expend by your foolish actions, we may not have it the next time it's needed for someone who didn't break any laws.

Matthew, read what I told Maco which was actually meant for you.

laura ling is an idiot, after being released she was the one person on the earth who could have raised awareness of the people dying in the north korean concentration camps, she could have done a world wide tour and everyone would have listened due to the interest in her case. instead she goes completely quiet and lets the prisoners continue to die humiliating deaths, we should have left you there to rot woman!!!

I watch your shows every time it come on or I see it on. I love you two and wish you well.
I did not know you were arrested in north Korea till now. When I saw this post. My heart dropped . Now my anger for this thing they did to, Two of the Worlds Most Lovable Saints. I don’t know if I can say I live with unconditional love any more. For, I fill hatred for the North Korean Gov. I believe that we as humans can will things good or bad to happen.
And with that, I ask all peoples, that read this to
“Light rubbed sage, as the smoke spirals up around you face in meditation, and Wish ill will and sickness on the leaders of North Korea“.

I am so happy you two are safe. Please don’t let this stop you in your quest.

For ever love William Alexander N…..K

holy crap im glad you girls made it home

Hi rrawtry,

I would be happy for YOU or ANYONE if they had just been reunited with their loved ones. I'm just tired of EVERYTHING being politicized. There's something wrong in a world where something good can't happen to a fellow human being, without having someone use it for political purposes.

And, BTW, "I" didn't admit anything. I'm not directly connected with this in any way, other than Laura and Euna are fellow human beings.

That was my first comment on the web site. If current.com is just political arguing, I don't have the time...

Those who have used the circumstances of Laura's and Euna's return as a way to attack the Obama administration show no shame and no compassion for what these women have just been through.

Why can't they be happy for fellow Americans who have gained their freedom?

Thanks for taking the risks in order to provide us with truth of our world. Please don't get caught again.

You guys are pretty much amazing.

Dear Laura and Euna,

I was very happy when you were released. I saw you both wlking onto the plane, carrying your own bags. Then I saw you get off the plane, hug your families, and talk to them. Laura even delivered a prepared speech. Though you both looked thin, especially Euna, I was relieved that you had apparently not been abused.

But now you say that some of your experiences are too painful to talk about, and that your psychological wounds are healing slowly. I am very sorry to hear that. Of course such things were always possible, and my fear of them was one of the main reasons I signed the petition for your release and sent my own letter to the North Korean government.

I hope that the love of your families, the esteem of your colleagues, and the admiration of your viewers will promote your healing. Good luck on your next project!

thank you for making me read the initial article.. it was moving glad your home

They should be in a labor camp knitting Kim Jong Il's socks, sorry I don't do stupid shit and have no pity for people who get in trouble for doing stupid shit.

Everyone is thankful that you have been rescued. You certainly bring some interesting stories to a concerned audience. However, it is unfortunate that a rescue was even necessary. You must be embarrassed and humiliated for having caused such an international incident. Hopefully, you have learned to respect the laws of other countries, as well as those of the United States. It was not surprising that you were arrested breaking the law in a foreign country, as you have done so, and gotten away with it, in other episodes of your program. It seems to be a typical arrogance of many reporters to believe that rules should be suspended so that they can pursue a story.

What I want to know is when will you release the footage of what was going on... ?

I'm glad to see you both were able to make it home safely. BUT - speaking from the perspective of a photographer who has spent time in a number of extremely dangerous parts of the world -- you should not have taken the risks that you did in the area of the world you were. Although you are journalist and feel the need to speak for those who cannot tell their own stories... you are not one women armies. Whenever you leave the United States all bets are off, your safety is up to you... And unfortunately, as you point out your capture has likely made the possibility for people in that region to leave North Korea that much harder... being a journalist is not the same thing as a crusader. I have lost a lot of respect for Current TV for allowing you and your team to take such risks.

Thank you ladies for your courage. You are an inspiration, and we are so happy to have you back.

Radio Free Asia now reports that Mitch Koss was indeed standing on China's side of the border filming his female colleagues before Laura Ling and Euna Lee were arrested on North Korean territory. This supports the theory that Laura and Euna crossed onto a sandbar belonging to North Korea in close proximity to China's shore of the Tumen River, which could have been done on a whim though we await the forthcoming truth from Laura's editorial this week.

However it is reported in this RFA article that the objective was only to gather border area footage, a task that could have been safely done in Dandong where they were scheduled to go on that fateful day.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/ChinaSeizedDefectorFootage-08242009094102....

SEOUL—Authorities in northeast China seized video footage shot by two U.S. journalists who were arrested by North Korea while investigating the plight of North Korean defectors in China, human rights workers said.

According to the North Korea Freedom Coalition, a cameraman working with Current TV journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling was still on the Chinese side of the border when the two women were arrested, and the footage he carried is now in the possession of Chinese authorities.

North Korea Freedom Coalition Chairman Suzanne Scholte said that when Lee and Ling were arrested March 17, videotape was confiscated from their cameraman (Mitch Koss) by Chinese police and used to identify North Korean defectors.

Ling and Lee, who had admitted violating North Korean law in an attempt to shoot television footage, were pardoned and flew home in early August after a personal visit to Pyongyang by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Rev. Lee Chan-woo said that Current TV cameraman Mitch Koss had videotapes in his possession of Lee's orphanage when he was detained by public security bureau officials on the Chinese side of the border on March 17, and that police had told him during interrogation that they had seized them.

He said that in addition to covering his orphanage, the two reporters had also covered North Korean women defectors offering online sexual services via video chat.

Such footage could result in more security crackdowns for North Korean defectors in China, said Rev. Lee, who paid a U.S. $3,200 fine before being deported.

Chinese authorities also seized documents from missionary Rev. Lee Chan-woo, 71, of Durihana Missions, whose orphanage for North Korean second-generation defector children in China was filmed by Current TV's journalists.

"Everything was in the documents taken from me," he said, referring to detailed background information on the children in his care and contact information for human rights activists working with North Korean defectors in China.

reporters should not become the story....this is getting more than a bit absurd.....they're back, safe and that should be the end of the story.

by the way, there are still at least two Chinese reporters that are languishing in prison because Yahoo Google gave them up to the Chinese secret police.....that is a much bigger story because all of the U.S, software companies doing business in China permit the police to have a presence in their facilities to monitor and to seek out dissidents.....why doesn't Current shine a light on that?

Any day now, according to Lisa Ling's husband Paul Song:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125107212590852551.html

Mr. Paul Song said he couldn't comment on exactly what videos, notes or phone numbers may have been seized by North Korean or Chinese security agents from Laura Ling, Euna Lee or Mitch Koss. He said the two women would be running an editorial this week that will detail the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

Laura and Euna - I hope you're recovering thoroughly and rapidly. Negative comments about you have appeared in the New York Times: In South Korea, Freed U.S. Journalists Come Under Harsh Criticism

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/world/asia/22journalists.html?_r=1&hpw

But Mitch speaks:
'The cameraman, Mr. Koss, declined to answer specific questions about the trip until Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee had spoken first. Still, he said, he was amazed by “how many untrue stories have been published in the last five months” and how “when there is silence, fantasy answers to fill in empty spaces.” '

When you're ready, please replace fantasy with the truth.

well we are so happy for you laura my family we no god listen sorry my eglish is bad but i wana now ;;;esatamos muy pero muy felices de tenerte de nuevo ;laura te queremos mucho,mucho mucho.....................

well we are so happy for you laura my family we no god listen sorry my eglish is bad but i wana now ;;;esatamos muy pero muy felices de tenerte de nuevo ;laura te queremos mucho,mucho mucho.....................

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Video footage shot by two Current TV journalists who were detained in North Korea after filming on the Chinese border was used by China to round up North Korean refugees. This is according to Durihana Pastor Lee Chan-woo, who told his powerful story to one of South Korea's leading newspapers:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/08/21/2009082100326.html

Here are highlights from the above link:

Chinese police also confiscated related materials including list of activists working for North Korean refugees in China, data on North Korean orphans, and video footage showing North Korean women who were sold into the Chinese countryside or appeared in porn videos.

Lee said Laura Ling, Euna Lee and a man named Mitch Koss met him at a hotel in Yanji, in China's Jilin Province, on March 14. They said they wanted to gather information about North Korean women who were working in adult videos at the North Korean-Chinese border area and on other North Korean women who were sold into the Chinese countryside.

The next day, the journalists filmed North Korean women at the border. They crossed the border and were arrested by North Korean soldiers on March 17. Ling and Lee were taken to North Korea, but Koss made it back and was arrested by Chinese border guards and handed over the video footage he was carrying.

I just praise the Lord My King for these beautiful creations. I am so overjoyed how our prayers came together and see the hand of our God in doing a marvelous work in freeing these wonderful women.
come follow me
www.twitter.com/QUEENMARTI

Sometimes you have to take a risk. Hopefully, they believed in the risk they undertook. I personally, support all individuals that take risks to enlighten the world to injustice. Yes, sometimes that means you have to put yourself in harms way, and yes you really don't want to be in harms way.
When you believe that something is the right cause then you act appropriately.

And in no way, under any circumstances, is what they did more than a danger to themselves. Anyone how thinks other wise is foolish. So yes, they did these things. Yes, there were dangers involved. Yes, they knew these things they were doing could be dangerous; and yet they did it anyway. I don't think people react that way for a paycheck. I think it's obvious that they believed it was important for them to do this, and that by doing so they would help to enlighten the world to the issue.

That is what I call courage. That is what I call Valor. That is what I call sacrifice. Does it seem silly? To cowards, yes.

To Laura and Euna: Keep doing what you can, for as long as you believe you can. That's all that you need to do. Peace, Love, and good fortune to you both.

Here is the link. It is a 12:31 unedited press conference. Some of it will be recognized.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Lisa_Ling_Talks_About_Sister_s_Retu...

I was paraphrasing what I heard. I believe that if Lisa says she doesn't think they used poor judgement then she must believe Laura used good judgement.
I mispoke when I said that Laura told Lisa she used good judgement. I surmised that Lisa was basing her believe on the few things that Laura had told her. I apologize for stating my own opinion as a fact.

Watch it yourself and draw your own conclusions.

aliennation:
What creative or adventuresome feat have you accomplished in your evil life? Have you ever served humanity? Have you ever traveled outside of the USA? We are blessed in this country and we do not deserve the blessing!!! You can change, aliennation, from your sourpuss attitude into one of appreciation of people, like those Vanguard reporters who try to improve the lot of poor and oppressed people all over the earth.

Lisa responded that Laura used good judgement in stepping across the border into North Korea? Lisa said that? Laura said that? I don't think so. I would like to see a link to that specific statement or simply copy and paste it in a reply.

Laura said Lisa was going to write an editorial with her "powerful story" detailing the events of March 17.
That was 12 days ago and perhaps will shed light on what kind of judgement was used.

As for Current.com, maybe now they can bring Laura's 2007 "China Sex Workers" video documentary back to the website, in which she interviews prostitutes in Beijing.

Check out the review quote from Shanghaiist about Laura Ling’s work on “China Sex Workers”:

“She also almost got into trouble with some local mafia (which brought back some nasty flashbacks of our own encounters with them a few years ago), but fortunately she got away with it and her tape!”

Looks like Laura is experienced with using sound judgement when dangerous situations in China require her to do so. What was she thinking as she approached the China/North Korea border? Maybe her thought was "This will only take a minute" ?? We'll have to wait for that editorial that her sister said was forthcoming.

In all seriousness, I do hope that Laura and Euna will offer to donate any and all proceeds from "selling" their story to organizations that might actually help the victims of North Korean human trafficking. I think that would be a noble gesture on their part and help to allay concerns that people may have about their motives in this whole affair.

Thank you, Laura and Euna, for your mission.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Eternal Love, Bob

In her first press conference after Laura's release, LIsa was asked if Laura showed poorr judgement. Lisa responded that Laure said she used good judgement in going into North Korea. As the debate continues, I believe it is time for Current to give us what they know. I understood the silence (but not the censorship) while the women were in custody. But why the silence now? What if Euna and Laura worked for another news organization? Would Current accept this silence?

I hope that Current and the journalists (when they are mentally and physically ready) show true courage, and give us the truth about what led up to and what happened on March 17th. Right or wrong, Cureent and the ladies have become the story, and people want to know.

I started a group for people who want the facts on this case. I don't mean that I know the facts! I mean this is to be a group who politely seek the facts. My group is:

StPatrickOfTheTumen

And I repeat, I'm very glad Laura and Euna are home, safe, and sound. I sent post cards to them, I signed the online appeal, and I sent a hard-copy letter to the North Korean government, requesting the pardon.

Some folks seem to think that Laura and Euna were accused of spying. No, they were accused, and convicted, on two charges: 1) illegal entry. 2) hostile acts (working on a video report unfavorable to the North Korean government). Some folks still doubt that they knowingly entered North Korea. A clear statement from Laura, Euna, or Mitch would resolve that. For example, they could admit or deny that they admitted illegal entry on their own video; they could admit or deny that they pocketed a souvenir stone from North Korea; etc.

he·ro n. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

I am very happy that Euna and Laura are safe at home with their families. Nonetheless, I think the idea of calling them heroes is laughable. They were very foolish and endangered their own lives as well as others. They should apologize to the country and their families now (not wait for their book deals) and promise never to do anything like that again.

some people have confused criticism of these two women venturing into North Korea with the idea that i am somehow sympathetic to the North Korean government. It's an absurd assumption...the North Korean government is run by thugs and criminals....their behavior unconscionable....that does not alter the fact that the two reporters used poor judgement and that being arrested was not an heroic act.

jumping into a shark infested water is not heroic....the heroics are performed by the people that jump in to save you....hence my praise for Barack, Hillary and Bill.

I'm so glad you girls are back home, I kept you in my heart as soon as I read what had happened on CNN. It is so pleasing to know that diplomacy can affect people on such a personal level, and that there are people who hold influence who are willing to break down barriers in the name of humanity. Welcome home girls ^^

And a big thank you to the people in charge at Current for the Laura & Euna marathons, these are 2 very talented ladies who have the balls to go where others fear to tread.

I've really enjoyed the Laura & Euna tributes. What a great way to turn this into a positive. You are two brave ladies, and you have done so much good and covered so many important stories. Enjoy a well deserved vacation.

this site is evidence that the idiots on the right don't have a franchise on stupidity and intolerance.

Welcome home!!!!!!!!

Some people just bleed ignorance.

Why must we know exactly what happened? It's not the public's business. It's obvious North Korea is not a humanitarian nation and that's all the explanation we need to know.

The U.S. has questionable enough practices in this regard as well. We "detain" people for very little reason, simply for being a certain ethnicity under pretext of violating law. We have the highest proportion of people in jails in the world. We are a police state.

Laws should be questioned and tested at every turn. Laura and Euna are journalists and it is their job to push the limits to get the stories. They are indeed heroes of the highest kind. To say they were irresponsible or acted unlawfully toward a lawless state is nothing but the mad rantings of unthinking authoritarians who only know to follow and do what they're told. They may as well be amoebas.

okay...of course i am happy that you are safely returned...but there is nothing heroic about what you did...it was dumb....going into North Korea and provoking an international incident for no reason was ignorant and naive....welcome home, glad you are safe...but you are not heroes....Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are the heroes.....

I am happy your are back. I would happily pay whatever our country paid to get your back. But it is time for a little honesty and tough love since you obviously do not listen to your parents and husbands or those who love you. As an American I say you have burned up all your "get out of jail free cards". I just watched you in Mexico risking your lives and others before you got your "wake up call" in North Korea. We know you crossed the border illegally. We have watched you break rule after rule and become bolder by getting away with it. You are real lucky you are not dead and never heard of again. You have heard of the three idiots that crossed into Iran. It was either stupidity or intentional so what do you figure is going to happen to them? Do they get lucky like you or do the Daniel Pearl? If it was stupidity maybe Iran should keep them. Next time you do it which will it be? Retire from risking your life, I am sure someone will appreciate that. Maybe someone else that needs a "get out of jail free card".

A whole lot of people got involved in this worthy cause and I'm so happy and relieved that this had a positive outcome.

Dear Laura and Euna, welcome home! I asked the North Korean government to give you amnesty, and I sent you postcards. I'm happy to see you back home, and It's wonderful to hear Euna's voice for the first time. I look forward to your return to work, and I hope you'll soon explain the March 17 incident on the Tumen. What has become of the women in the videos seized by the North Korean authorities as evidence of "hostile acts"?

Laura and Euna do not need to apologize to their nation.
They already apologized to North Korea. However it would be nice to hear an apology from Laura, Euna, and Mitch Koss directed at the North Korean refugees in Yanji (China) who appear on their confiscated videotapes.
Laura and Euna did go where they don't belong when they stepped off the safety of China's shoreline of the Tumen River. They were indeed warned not to get too close to the actual boundary by the person who arranged their China itinerary.
If they had stayed in the city of Yanji and only went to Mapai village for a brief excursion then this border crossing blunder would not have happened. Instead we would be watching their documentary on China/North Korea human trafficking right now on Current TV instead of the highlight tribute.

At what point do these 2 apologize to the entire nation for putting us at risk on a global scale. They went where they did not belong, where they were warned not to go to cover a story that didn't need to be covered by the like of Current TV. Thanks again, Al, for making bring this country down yet another notch.

Thank you for taking time to make this video. Both of you are incredibly brave and strong women.
Hopes, prayers, and good strategy helped in bringing you safely home. The news of your freedom brought much joy to many people in the U.S. and other countries around the world.

great to see you guys again!!!
I was moved to tears when seeing your arrival speech.

you and the rest of the Vanguard team go to great lengths to bring us stories that REALLY MATTER

I thank you and can't help but say WELCOME BACK!!!!!! :D

Aloha Euna and Laura,

I am so happy you are both safe! Your stories inspire countless people around the world. Please rest and enjoy your families, you both deserve it!

Mahalo nui loa, Mark

Laura and Euna. I want to extend to you my heartfelt thanks for the video and the letters expressing your gratitute.I can only imaging the adjustment you both are having to make after 140 days of isolation with a 12 year hard labor sentence hanging over your head. You both have a story to tell, tell it when you are ready. In the meantime, love your family and friends and heal.

I also want to say "good going" on the book deal Laura. Make as much money as you can, and I don't mean that in a snarky or sarcastic way. People who have gone through or done little with their lives have done book deals, so why not you. You and your sister are obviously close, and have now gone through this ordeal and have bonded together even more.

Euna, I hope you get a book deal too. Secure the future for your little Hannah. I also believe you will have some different insights into situation being from South Korea. Were you treated differently? Why no lawyer? I imaging you were singing to the Lord during your time of imprisonment, but what a joy it must have been that first Sunday back to church.

God has blessed you and answered many prayers. May he continue to bless both of you ladies.

The rest of this is for anyone at Current who might read this stuff. You do have people who don't need to rest and recover from a 140 day imprisonment with a 12 year death sentence hanging over their head (I really don't think they would have survived) that can start shedding some light on what really happened. How about it?

I'm SO GLAD you are both back safe and sound. One of the reasons I watch Current faithfully (or DID until your abduction) was you stories!
I will admit that I was angry with Current (and told them so) for saying nothing --not even acknowledging your captivity -- when the rest of America's news outlets were telling the story-- but I'm sure they had their reasons.
Take your time getting "well" from all of this and know that you really don't have to put your lives at risk just to get stories that we watch.
I remain a great fan and look forward to both of you being back on Current -- when YOU are ready!
MOST sincerely, Skip Surguine, Carmel, Indiana