North Korea releases journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee after Clinton visit

// added August 04, 2009 // 272 comments //
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MilchMann

more from News:

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5735XL20090804

Bill Clinton has negotiated the release of two American journalists imprisoned in North Korea.
  1. groups:
    News,   Current Tonight,   Webmash,   News_Featured
  2. tags:
    North Korea

272 comments // North Korea releases journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee after Clinton visit

  • thenerdykat
  • xiola
    • 0
      xiola  
    • thenerdykat:

      Yeah, I was kind of wondering if they would continue working with Current. I mean, how terrified they must have been! How physically and mentally exhausted they must be. I don't know if I'd be able to resume the same job after something like that. I'd probably just need a lot of therapy!

    • 6 months ago
  • 1Eco_Media
  • 1Eco_Media
  • 1Eco_Media
    • 0
      1Eco_Media  

    • Sad that anyone would find humor in a story about any Gov. being involved in selling woman for profit.

      Exposing human trafficking is dangerous enough. When you add the fact that it is a Gov. that is doing it, then the story becomes to hard to believe for some it would seem.

      The fact that those women will not see their friends or family again and be sold into the life of a slave doesn't seem to matter much to those who might wish to twist the story around to suit their needs.

      It's as if the women being sold don't even matter.

      How is that possible. How could anyone not have some small amount of concern for anyone being sold like a slave?

      Have we become so cold and heartless about our fellow human beings simply because they are not Americans?

      What does that say about us as a people?

    • 6 months ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  

    • Let us consider long term political strategy. The journalists work for Al Gore, they are captured by N. Korea, and released into the hands of Bill Clinton, who was Gore's former boss. Obama is removed from the negotiations, thus receiving no political benefit. How convenient for Bill, Hilary, and Al! Do you children out there really think that Bill and Al had no previous contact with N. Korean leadership. This was a set up from the beginning. Smart strategy but lacking in subtlelty. Another example of U.S. politicians being manipulated by foreign interests. This is my laugh for the day!

    • 6 months ago
  • lifestudentno83
  • lucidstone
    • 0
      lucidstone  
    • MoonLoon:

      Moon,

      Are you implying that you are even speculating that Al Gore sent them there to be captured in order to set up a scenario for Al, Bill, and Hillary to somehow look like heros and gain a political advantage over Obama?

      If so, that is the most insane thing I've ever heard on this website (and I've heard a lot of really stupid shit on Current.com) . . . If that's not what you meant, then I withdraw my remarks and ask you to clarify your meaning.

      And Obama is removed from the circle because it would do much less for US interests to have the President "directly" involved in this, not because he was circumvented by political maneuvering.

      Right wingers are already decrying that allowing a meeting with a "former" president on a "private" humanitarian mission was giving the DPRK to much . . . and you want to give Kim direct oval office involvement???

      I understand the subtleties in politics (wording, intonations, phrasing, strategy) as well the subtleties involved in regards to diplomacy with traditional conservative Koreans who think they are the king of the world (you should meet my Korean step-father) . . . so it's not from ignorance or naivety when I say that I think you are completely incorrect in suggesting that there is another more sinister factor in play.

    • 6 months ago
  • MilchMann
    • 0
      MilchMann  
    • MoonLoon:

      Wow lucidstone, you really are my hero of the week.

      Moonloon, it appears it did not take long to prove my point from the other conversation.

      wow, I got a good laugh out of that, thanks.

    • 6 months ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  
    • MoonLoon:

      The plot will unravel, I suspect. "Lucid", your step-father is Korean, so you are now an expert? Last year I had to collect $6.8 million on past due invoices from Daewoo. I got all of the money owed us. Now you want to tell me how to deal with Koreans? Some of the toughest negotiaters in the World. Bill gave them something! It will be eventually be brought to light.

    • 6 months ago
  • lucidstone
    • 0
      lucidstone  
    • MoonLoon:

      Moon,
      You didn't answer the previous question of what you are actually speculating. And I gotta say I'm a bit concerned of how much of a limb are you going out on?

      And yes, I probably understand more about how to be diplomatic with traditional conservative Korean men more than anyone on this website due to the peculiar hand life gave me by having the Korean step father that I lived with for a number of years.

      Every evening the routine for a long time wold to play a game of Baduk (we call it Go) as he would tell me what was going on the Korean news that he just watched. It's sad that we don't play anymore, I should have learned to throw the game more often as I think losing to often hurt his sense of pride and destroyed the vital spectrum of the teacher-student relationship.

      More than likely he shares the same attitudes, cultural principles, and beliefs (other than the fact he hates communism and the Northern government) as he came from a "very" wealthy background, his family was actually ranked, and was trained in all of the formal etiquette for lack of a better term, royalty, and never quite Americanized when he moved to the US in his 20's. He is a virtual time capsule of Korean culture from the time of their civil war (where he was an actual refugee as the North specifically targeted wealthy families).

      Since the DPRK highly stresses traditional conservativism, I think it's most likely that they hold the same cultural principles over the importance of proper protocol and the showing of proper respect and all of the subtleties involved that are required just to remain polite. If you haven't experienced it yourself, then I don't think I can properly explain it without giving too much personal family info (this is probably already more about my family than I should say). But they are far far more sensitive to acts of disrespect of the most subtle nature than i could have possibly previously imagined.

      South Korean culture on the other hand, has changed remarkably over the decades . . . to the point when the last time he went back to Seoul, he was disgusted with the behavior of his people. So dealing with a major corporation in South Korea like Daewoo, which would be at the forefront of adjusting to western culture, is apples and oranges next to dealing with a traditional conservative high ranking official from the "hermitic kingdom" where little has changed.

      So yes, I'm intimately familiar on the proper protocol of talking to my step father and his siblings in order that I don't cause offense. And while prolonged first hand experience with a high ranking traditionally conservative Korean family who was there for the Korean War is not a perfect mirror image of dealing with the high ranking individuals in North Korea . . . I venture that they are damn similar as both groups have existed as virtual time capsules.

      South Korea on the other hand has not, and business dealings with the South would not prepare you to hold a dinner conversation that doesn't offend a Korean family that holds traditional conservative values to heart.

      So I stand 100% by my statement that I fully understand the subtleties involved in diplomacy with traditional conservative Koreans . . . I have over a "decade" of very intimate first hand experience with doing just that.

      But please, I really would like to hear you clarify and elaborate your meaning in regards to the above post as it's "current form" remains woefully asinine.

      [edit: And as far as what the price was for Laura's and Euna's freedom . . . I think a meeting/photo op with Bill Clinton was the extent of the price we paid. Showing such a grand display of respect would likely have been payment enough from what I understand about the culture.]

    • 6 months ago
  • 1Eco_Media
    • 0
      1Eco_Media  

    • I can only guess they felt compelled to report the human trafficking story for the sake of the women who would never see their friends or family again.

      It is so very wonderful to see their faces as they come home.

    • 6 months ago
  • 1Eco_Media
  • 2102512
    • 0
      2102512  

    • How cocky of a human being is Euna Lee? And her partner! Even though there was a microscopic chance of nuclear war erupting because of this, they did it anyways. They by passed international diplomacy and EXPLICITLY trespassed into North Korea. Bill Clinton should have left them there, but he needed some more camera time. If they are stupid enough to trespass into hostile territory, then they should face the consequences. I believe Al Gore had something to do with this since he is a "co-founder" of Current media. Clinton saved your butt? In depth reporting is fine. Risking the safety of South Korea and surrounding nations is not. Shame on those reporters and too bad they got off so easy.

    • 6 months ago
  • calm_incense
  • 2102512
    • 0
      2102512  
    • 2102512:

      Calm Incense you can disagree 100%, but it is because you know 0% of the situation. You are just another victim of this "feel good" story. Research how many died fighting in Korea in the 50's, and how volatile the situation is. Educate yourself. Quit being a mind less robot and eat the BS you are fed.

    • 6 months ago
  • calm_incense
    • 0
      calm_incense  
    • 2102512:

      Sorry, but you said absolutely nothing I didn't already know. Stop being so arrogant as to assume that anybody who doesn't see things your way is "ignorant".

      I'm surprised you haven't called me a Kool-Aid-drinking sheeple yet.

      What's taking you so long?

    • 6 months ago
  • 2102512
  • nkeg87
    • 0
      nkeg87  
    • 2102512:

      Oh I'm sorry. Were you there with them? Are you 100% sure they crossed the border? I do recall there being mixed stories about their whereabouts when they were arrested.

      Yes, its a volatile situation but I want to hear what THEY have to say.

    • 6 months ago
  • MoonLoon
  • lifestudentno83
  • metalcookiesxy70
    • 0
      metalcookiesxy70  

    • It seems new "trolls" have appeared along with this topic, so sad, and yet their comments has to only do with politics, they cannot evn focus on the positive things, just politics, they are even illogical about what they say....

    • 6 months ago
  • lucidstone
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  
    • metalcookiesxy70:

      Of course I am happy for their return. However, most of the Reuters article was commenting on the politics of the situation, not the humanitarian aspects. It is unlikely that they were released on humanitarian grounds, thus this is a political issue. North Korea got something out of this, you can bet on it.

    • 6 months ago
  • s0uthc0ast
  • calm_incense
  • MilchMann
    • 0
      MilchMann  
    • s0uthc0ast:

      More ironically though, s0uthc0ast here likes to remember things wrong and/or misquote them (guess that is not really a surprise). Pavlov's dogs salivated when the bell was rung... Clinton did not appear to be slobbering.

    • 6 months ago
  • nursediesel
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • I wish people on either side of the political aisle wouldn't use this as a chance to gain political points by putting these ladies in the middle of it. For me this was an issue of human rights, not politics. Some Republicans are dissing this because it was Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and some Democrats are praising it because Bill Clinton is a Democrat. I really get tired of seeing everything in this country being broken down to a political denominator.

    • 6 months ago
  • amazonprincess
    • 0
      amazonprincess  

    • If this had happened under the Bush administration, Halliburton and Blackwater would be jumping up and down in joy: MONEY!

      Bush would have sent a team of losers from Blackwater to North Korea. Blackwater would then failed and created an international incident that may lead to more deaths!

      Even now, we're still cleaning up the mess created by the world's biggest moron: George W. Bush.

    • 6 months ago
  • lifestudentno83
    • 0
      lifestudentno83  

    • Thankfully, we have an administration that can use diplomacy... I wonder if this was 2007 if they would have been left imprisoned...

      Again that is not the case and most everyone on current is thankful they have been released. Welcome home Laura and Euna.

    • 6 months ago
  • keithponder
    • 0
      keithponder  

    • I'm breaking a promise made to myself to give myself a self imposed break from Current.TV just to say.......,

      WELCOME BACK HOME EUNA & LAURA !!!!

      AND THANK YOU BILL CLINTON & THE NORTH KOREAN DICTATOR.

      Say what you will about Dr.Kim, but he could have said no.

    • 6 months ago
  • UrbanGypsy
  • hitz227
  • genxmusix
  • juxzta1
    • 0
      juxzta1  

    • The lesson to be learned? DONT TEMPT FATE. If the world draws a line and says don't cross this line no matter what! DONT CROSS IT. These countries obviously do not play around and I don't think the president will be making regular trips to these places to rescue journalists or hikers the three dummies who went hiking right on that line near Iran and are now being held. Come on people there are so many more interesting places to spend time!

    • 6 months ago
  • SarahAna
  • thehud2
    • 0
      thehud2  

    • This is interesting because it demonstrate the power of influence and status. Just think, if some of that influence was concentrate on the current issues of the prison overcrowding here within the states. There are many who would like to receive this type of attention, On one hand it illustrates the laws are not for everybody, but they are picked for the choosen. If this can be done outside our country why haven't the prison here been given this type of attention. Crimes are crimes, the journalist were sorry, I sure their are many in prison are sorry, yet it has no bearing on our political figures.

    • 6 months ago
  • coopersampson
    • 0
      coopersampson  

    • What a complete and total double standard...if these would have been military or CIA that were caught behind the N. Korea border...people would be screaming about how the USA invades the soverignty of another nation....but because they are a couple of journalists its ok ???? What a load of crap...and Bill Clinton is no hero...he had an opportunity to be in the limelight for a brief and shinning moment and he took it...Hey Al...nice coverage

    • 6 months ago
  • davidnetk
  • MoonLoon
  • MilchMann
    • 0
      MilchMann  
    • coopersampson:

      Seriously? I guess you have a right to your opinion... but wow? I kind of want to poke holes in your double standard statement, but I am going to refrain and state that I agree with david, and add that comments like that have no place here, NONE so what ever.

      So you coopersampson, and MoonLoon both need to take your inflammatory comments to a different thread on this topic if you wish to continue with them.

      here is a good one
      http://current.com/items/90611095_their-freedom-at-what-cost.htm
      started by one of your own kind.

      Thank you,
      -Milchmann

    • 6 months ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  
    • coopersampson:

      Thank goodness this is an open site where we are free to express our opinion. If Bill failed me, that is his problem and not mine. Milch, you need a reality check. I can express my opinions freely without reservations, this is America, after all!

    • 6 months ago
  • metalcookiesxy70
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  
    • coopersampson:

      Hey Metal, who declared you the gate keeper? But of course fear of the truth will drive people to the extremes. I will post here and where I want without cursing or denigrating my fellow citizens. I suggest the same standard should be adopted by all.

    • 6 months ago
  • lifestudentno83
  • escarondito
  • Hendrix_Is_God
    • 0
      Hendrix_Is_God  

    • I was watching the news yesterday and the mentioned that two reporters had been freed, when they showed their pictures I was SURE that I recognized them from Current.
      Lo and behold they were!

      Such good news.

    • 6 months ago
  • sk0j0
  • Nephwrack
  • TrevTar
  • GodsnLiberals
  • vinicius
  • musicismylife89
  • JohnA
  • locutus
  • JohnA
    • 0
      JohnA  

    • Barack was in over his head so once again Bill has to save the day. Just glad all the Obama worshipers can see what a real President can do.

    • 6 months ago
  • Cochiese
  • UrbanGypsy
    • 0
      UrbanGypsy  

    • What a great feeling they must have felt when they heard the news they were being released! I'm glad for them and I am thankful to Mr. Clinton.

      It is terrible what happens to people in those camps, I felt really bad that they were going to have to endure 12 years in there...

    • 6 months ago
  • Cochiese
  • Cochiese
  • jenuribe
  • mario_a
  • oreo4sho
  • Eleganza
    • 0
      Eleganza  

    • These young ladies parents must be besides themselves with relief...What I wouldn't give to have Bill Clinton back in office again, the man is just an incredibly gifted statesman.

    • 6 months ago
  • nsv
    • 0
      nsv  

    • As an international student (Mexico), I've always been stunned by these ladies' courage and bravery in their reports. Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, USA, everywhere.
      I cannot explain the amazing feeling of knowing that there are people like Clinton, Gore, Ling, and Lee in this country, moreover in this mad world, which desperately needs them and more people like them.
      Have a wonderful trip back home !!!
      You are an absolute inspiration !!!

    • 6 months ago
  • youarecorpulent
  • TheNome
  • s0uthc0ast
    • 0
      s0uthc0ast  

    • Interesting, Bill had to step in because the little lady couldn't get it done?
      Dodged a bullet with her not being elected in one respect, but the country took one square in the head with the load we got as an alternative.

    • 6 months ago
  • s0uthc0ast
  • bmackin
  • simall08
  • coopersampson
    • 0
      coopersampson  

    • what about all of the 100,000 of peole that are still intered in N. Korea ???? why do these gals get special treatment when they full admit that they snuck into the country in the first place ?? Why are we negotiating with a raving lunatic dictator ?

    • 6 months ago
  • coopersampson
  • jane44095
    • 0
      jane44095  

    • Al Gore would be my guess in alot of this,Bill Clinton may have done the good deed but i suspect Gore was behind it.just saying sure wish he would have won instead of bushleague.

    • 6 months ago
  • Jesse400
  • 1Eco_Media
  • shroomfairy
  • ArchitectMars
    • 0
      ArchitectMars  

    • today for currentTV and Current.com and many many of us that followed this ordeal... Bill Clinton just became a superman/iron man/spiderman ... all in one ... for a day =D

    • 6 months ago
  • CalgarC
    • 0
      CalgarC  

    • FUCK YEAH! clinton is awesome. i can now see y he was gettin some in the white house. i can't wait to hear from the vangaurd team :D

    • 6 months ago
  • rberghaus
  • austinmaxey
    • 0
      austinmaxey  

    • I am very relieved to hear that Laura Ling & Euna Lee are safe back in the United States with their families. I can only imagine what this whole ordeal must have been like for the two journalist. When I first herd about this story I was outraged that there was such little media attention and effort to have there sentences pardoned. I applaud Bill Clinton for his part in resolving this crisis.

    • 6 months ago
  • EmperorThan
  • ThoughtNu
    • 0
      ThoughtNu  

    • About time but I hesitate to make any full comment since EVERY story about these two has been pulled with no regard for the people that wish to share feelings concerning these journalists. I hope this is true and not another false post of progress.

      NSA Gen. Alexander and the Q unit have kept a tight lid on Current ... if I was your parent you would be grounded!

      It's a shameful thing to see right when ' Currents 4th birthday celebration is conducted to celebrate the 'new medium' ; knowing that the plight of these reporters was being overtly ignored...not that we noticed. Would have been nice to see that these two weren't the only reporters with fortitude ... at current but ... I am just glad to know they are on their way home

      Maybe 'we' should boycott Current for five months to show the same type of support they have shown publicly for their own?

    • 6 months ago
  • kelmeagan
  • cassrobin
  • kelmeagan
  • rdusenbery
  • momofkeoni
  • hardknockxpert
    • 0
      hardknockxpert  

    • Fantastic! This happened much more quickly than I expected, and I honestly didn't know what to expect since we're talking North Korea....hats off to Bill for a job well done!

    • 6 months ago
  • SUBurbanKICKback
  • Oldieman
  • brillfilms
  • matisyahu
  • 1Eco_Media
    • 0
      1Eco_Media  

    • this site has pulled so many of my comments on Laura, I never know if they will post anything are not.

      If any friend of mine gets held captive I am not going to keep my mouth shut while it goes on.

      That tactic is fear based. Better in my view to rally everyone around friends and what they were attempting to do. Show the very real fact that N.K. is selling women into China and all other points east.

      Expose the lie. My guess is that is what Laura would have wanted. Maybe I am wrong, but that is what I would want anyone to do that claimed to be my friend.

      In fact I would say it is the story that matters, not me.

      Laura and Lee are not the first and they will not be the last to be held. In fact, many have been killed attempting to get at the truth.

      Are we to live in fear and hide out all our lives or face evil actions and the people, govs, org, cos, who do them.

      I say not only do we face them but we back up our friends whenever they are brave enough to tell the hidden truth and make sure their story is told so very loud others will think twice before holding, or killing the next friend.

      but hey, what the hell do I know. i am not a lawyer, or gov. type, or some big shot company man, who thinks they know what's best.

      to that I say. B.S.

      Welcome home. So very sorry it took so damn long.

      Why in the hell didn't Bill go over sooner?

      They sure seem to love him there. You can bet there is far more to this story and my guess is there is at least one reporter at current who will find and report the truth.

      That reporter is Laura.

    • 6 months ago
  • deepa_847
  • Nephwrack
  • vistapoint
  • shep1973
    • 0
      shep1973  

    • great news, so glad to hear this is having a positive ending.

      and to think so many people didnt even know what was going on, and when they were told, they didnt care or understand the magnitude.. sometimes people's apathy infuriates me. people need to realize that real life is beyond their personal space..this is huge.

    • 6 months ago
  • Michizzle
  • jam05
  • onemalefla
  • robert_lee
  • vistapoint
  • zichi
  • brillfilms
    • 0
      brillfilms  

    • Really fantastic news that Laura Ling and Euna Lee have regained the freedom that they fight for in their superb journalism. Hope that they are able to keep breaking these important stories when they have recovered from their ordeal. Bill Clinton rocks!

    • 6 months ago
  • R2D2DUKFAN
  • lysh88
    • 0
      lysh88  

    • I'm so happy to hear that they've finally been released. Good going Bill! Maybe Current can/will? finally talk about what happened.

    • 6 months ago
  • Viciouspike
    • 0
      Viciouspike  

    • Good to hear etc. etc. etc. but it turns out that these were actually Current reporters that crossed the border by accident I think and then were captured anyway I had posted an article on it a while back but, it never got uploaded to current... How sad :'(

    • 6 months ago
  • jkudurog
  • monm
    • 0
      monm  

    • Best news ever. I've been following this story closely since it first broke and been hoping for the best for these two. I was afraid this situation would take years to resolve.

      I couldn't be more proud of our former president for his handling of diplomacy, as well as Al Gore and Hillary Clinton and every other official taking part in this matter.

      Congratulations for the two women! This ordeal was horrible but glad they can now rebuild peace in their lives and be reunited with their loved ones.

    • 6 months ago
  • ScorpioGee
    • 0
      ScorpioGee  

    • To the people who's complaining on how Current broke the news late in the day who cares where or when the story broke! The goal is to get them home!

      BTW I wasn't really following this faithfully like many people on Current but I'm happy they're coming home (after watching Vanguard and I was really enjoyed Laura Ling's pieces. They're really thorough and the viewer gets a great look into the areas most mainstream media in the US dont talk about.)

      A lot of people are saying these jornalist were stupid in going into a rogue nation like North Korea but I feel the two detainees did it to show how the North Korean people is treated horribly by their own government in multiple levels. They did what many reporters wont do and I have to give props.

      Now I wonder what type of deal did the US broke to NK?

    • 6 months ago
  • iammyfathersson
  • Lazairus
  • JonRaymond
  • MoonLoon
  • Zarbongo
    • 0
      Zarbongo  

    • Good news. A win for independent journalists, real diplomacy and of course the Lee and Ling families. Having had family in some hairy situations overseas, I know Euna and Laura's families cannot wait to see them. The extended Current family waits with them in heart and mind.

    • 6 months ago
  • mschwich
    • 0
      mschwich  

    • Incredible! An apology from Hillary and a personal visit from Bill. Waiting with bated breath to hear from the girls about what really happened...

    • 6 months ago
  • Tankguy
    • 0
      Tankguy  

    • So glad to hear that. Kim Jong Il maybe and pompous asshole but he isnt stupid. I bet Bill was like " so you like playing with nukes huh? Well lemme inform you that America happens to have the largest arsenal of nukes in the world. Right now we have 9 nuclear submarines sitting 20 miles off your shores so ahh, if your feeling froggy then LEAP!"

    • 6 months ago
  • Obsidian
  • HiSchoolisBoring
  • MoonLoon
  • AndreaKnoll
  • sickinjersey
  • cheakywillie
    • 0
      cheakywillie  

    • i am so happy that this has been resolved...i am happy for the journalists and thier family and friends as well as the Current staff who missed thier colleagues

    • 6 months ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  

    • Congratulations, Bill for serving as the tool of a totalitarian dictator. I am so impressed! Lewinsky may not be the only sucker that visited the White House!

    • 6 months ago
  • thedjshade
  • metalcookiesxy70
  • GrizzlyVibbes
  • GrizzlyVibbes
  • turquoisePatrice
    • 0
      turquoisePatrice  

    • Thank goodness, I was legit really worried. This event really puts in to perspective how dangerous this job is, they really do risk their lives for the truth.

    • 6 months ago
  • ny_nj_soulchild
    • 0
      ny_nj_soulchild  

    • I'm totally agree with lucid on this one. :: """I imagine that Current won't get into the underlying geo-political details of why it was needed for them to remain silent over the detainment of these girls via CurrentTV, Current.com, and general press . . . but I'll put 1000::1 odds on that it can be summed up with "aiding diplomatic negotiations".

      Personally, I believe the "respectful" silence was 100% necessary to help secure their release . . . and I personally believe Current did the RIGHT thing by putting the interests of Laura and Euna (and their families) ahead of appeasing their viewers.

      Thank you Current for being silent when it was difficult to be."""" - LUCIDSTONE

    • 6 months ago
  • Lucy2shoes
    • 0
      Lucy2shoes  

    • I am glad Lee and Ling were rescued, but I haven't seen too much comment on the fact they illegally entered N. Korea. Let's face, the US would do the same thing - sans the hard labor camp - they were wrong to cross border. Just because someone is a "journlist" does not give them the right to invade another country. In reality they could have easily been shot to death and it woud have been their own fault. If they really want to be respected journlists, go through channels and do it the right way. If Ling didn't have a famous sister they would mostly likely have had to serve their sentence. Did they reach out to save others in the prison - I guess not. Who is picking-up the expenses for all of this? If it is the US government, then Ling and Lee should be required to reimburse all of the expenses. We cannot afford to pay for their illegal pursuits.

    • 6 months ago
  • zakmo
    • 0
      zakmo  
    • Lucy2shoes:

      N. Korea should never had held Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Arresting them should have been followed by an almost immediate deportation back to the U.S.

      And it's ballsy "journalists" pushing the limit (and sometimes the law) that bring deserved attention to injustices here and abroad. People who have opinions like "they deserved it," take for granted the impact amazing journalism has on policy, law and humanity.

      Z

    • 6 months ago
  • DaveFriedel
  • kennymotown
  • VonNbingHam
    • 0
      VonNbingHam  

    • Way to go Big Willie! I hope those two are ok! I'm also really surprised that Current is finally letting the story be posted! I've tried numerous times to get it posted when all first went down and all were "under review". Even after their families came out and started to speak up on the matter CURRENT still didn't let any posts get by! Glad they finally did! I wonder how they feel about current not letting anybody post stories about them? Thats probably the last thing on their mind though... Glad you ladies are coming home!!

    • 6 months ago
  • CaptB
    • 0
      CaptB  

    • Bill Clinton was one of the greatest presidents we ever had the privilege of electing. I am very proud that we as a nation are able to reconcile a few differences and come to a peaceful resolution concerning these two Americans.

      I wish we didn't have term limits, I think President Clinton would have beaten FDR out for four terms!!!

    • 6 months ago
  • ddhboy
  • jaykey
  • zakmo
    • 0
      zakmo  

    • I've been enjoying the Laura Ling marathon. I'm so glad she and Euna Lee are free. She has always been one of my favorite Current.tv reporters.

      Please continue making entertaining and emotion stirring pods.

      Z

    • 6 months ago
  • nkeg87
    • 0
      nkeg87  

    • Funny this one is up. I didnt think Current was going to even acknowledge they were released especially when they deleted my post from CNN.com that they were pardoned.

      At the end of the day, the important thing is that LL and EL are free. I missed Laura's stories.

    • 6 months ago
  • CCorsair
    • 0
      CCorsair  

    • YEAH!!! GOOD NEWS ALL OVER!! I would have never thought this would have happen so soon if not for so many working and praying so hard and long.. So is this why Current was running all the Pods of Laura last night? It seem it was Vanguard night on Current last night and I love their pods those are the ones that got hooks and I hope the Girls get right back out there and get to work (after time off PAID TIME OFF PLEASE!!! they EARNED IT!!) Can't wait to hear from them of what happen and how they were really treated .

      CC

    • 6 months ago
  • msameck
    • 0
      msameck  

    • Great news.

      However, it's sad that journalists have to worry about being turned into pawns in relationships with dodgy countries. I'd like to think that North Korea released them becuase they realized they'd already lost the fight. (Even though they thought they'd won.)

    • 6 months ago
  • heyjai
  • settler
    • 0
      settler  

    • wow, great news! When I caught the news of the imprisonment, I had no idea that they're journalists for Current. The media in Switzerland didn't cover the story very deeply.

    • 6 months ago
  • 24French
  • Dflo
  • coopersampson
  • imp_print
  • coopersampson
  • UrbanMiners
    • 0
      UrbanMiners  

    • Rarely have I followed events such as this or people falsely imprisioned , but I was always amazed at the skill of Laura Ling to tell an important story that other media outlets would bypass as being to difficult.

      I hope Laura and Euna and in good health and spirit and maybe their horrid detentions can help in ending the antics of this rogue nation.

      Thank you to Bill Clinton and everyone that worked so hard to bring these two home!

      Welcome Back Laura and Euna!!

    • 6 months ago
  • Cuddlebones
  • THEUNDERGROUND
  • sktoday
  • TheJerryMadden
    • 0
      TheJerryMadden  

    • It is truley amazing to see what amazing journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are. They put their lives in danger just to bring the story home, & that goes for any journalist that puts their ass on the line for the story.

      (some) Journalist's deserve ALOT more than they receive.

      Hope all is well
      ms.ling + lee.

    • 6 months ago
  • TheEmpireGuy
  • yvesisaki
  • naty_forty
  • mintyness
  • bonesmattingly
  • hemlock
    • 0
      hemlock  

    • I found out about this on NPR and I had to pull over and call my wife, we were both so happy that Laura and Euna were coming home. Every time we watched current we couldn't help but think about them.

      I hope this difficult time only makes the birthing pains of a more open relation with NK, But more then anything I am happy for the family's involved and wish them a safe return of there loved ones.

    • 6 months ago
  • lvp
  • atomiclegion
  • Dpm
  • hrivero
  • pjacobs51
  • calim88
  • the4104
  • current_guru
  • labraid
  • Xion
    • 0
      Xion  

    • I'm so so so happy, and so so impressed by the courage these two journalists possess. Good job, Current, on acknowledging this.

    • 6 months ago
  • sonjasreality
  • PEJ
    • 0
      PEJ  

    • Fantastic news! Missed Laura big time, if she's on that plane - I bet Clinton's getting some tough questions. Hope they are both safe and well after N. Korean lock down.

      Good luck guys

    • 6 months ago
  • Agent_Alpha
  • fun_size
  • yvesisaki
    • 0
      yvesisaki  

    • OH THANK GOD!!! *whew* Unbelievable. I fasted (once) and prayed for this ever since they were seized. Now they can get on with their lives and Laura Ling can continue doing good journalism for Vanguard. I expect current to discuss this and have a good report on this whole issue on North Korea. That'd suck if something went wrong and now the two reporters have Stockholm syndrome or something.

      North Korea still sucks though. Kim Jong-Il is still a fruit cake, but hopefully we can have a better relationship/less tension (if not very little) with that country after this.

    • 6 months ago
  • RepressThis
    • 0
      RepressThis  

    • hoorah for justice!!! thanks for reporting this story (it made my week) I hope there was no two year gag order placed, actually it doesn't matter, as long as they are both safe and back on US soil.

    • 6 months ago
  • krazykaren
  • WTFitsMeSarah
  • bellgodz
    • 0
      bellgodz  

    • This is great news but I'd still like to know why Current has devoted no coverage towards their own journalists' ordeal until now. Even this announcement is little more than a blurb.

    • 6 months ago
  • lucidstone
  • bellgodz
    • 0
      bellgodz  
    • bellgodz:

      I'd call it a high-profile blurb. Any "article" that is one sentence long, can't even acknowledge that both journalists were working for Current and throws in a URL to a more detailed article is a blurb.

    • 6 months ago
  • PEJ
    • 0
      PEJ  
    • bellgodz:

      All a bit late in the day .... although I imagine (hope) there was a lot more going on behind the scenes. Massive difference between Current's role here and the BBC's over Alan Johnston's abduction in Gaza. Perhaps it was the nature and perversity of the North Korean regime rather than the relative strengths of the media organisations that determined this approach. But, citizen/vanguard journos beware - Clinto won't be bailing everyone out!

    • 6 months ago
  • lucidstone
    • 0
      lucidstone  
    • bellgodz:

      I'd point you to the form for submitting articles, the link is in the top right corner.

      The space you are referring to is designated for giving a brief summary of the article . . . hence the "Description" header for that part of the form.

      And if you ask me, the description given by "MilchMann" is absolutely perfect in it's clarity and neutrality as there's people with very sharp and opposing feelings over how Current handled this (as I would argue fervently in Current's defense for doing the right thing by maintaining silence).

      Sorry, but no, this is not being treated like a blurb . . . that's just not correct, but believe what you want.

    • 6 months ago
  • carinoeugene
  • ras_menelik
  • onemalefla
  • Bleatmop
  • mariogalileo
  • davidnetk
    • 0
      davidnetk  

    • I'm so happy for them, I can't wait for them to be back and for Current to give them the welcome they deserve! Bill Clinton continues to be The Man!

    • 6 months ago
  • ColossalView
  • karenin
    • 0
      karenin  

    • I'm REALLY happy!! Great news! Current did the best thing by not speaking about it. I can only imagine the understandable (but dangerous) anger of the community against North Korea and I think the best thing was not to talk about it on this site. It would have made the situation even more dangerous. Good job uncle Bill!

    • 6 months ago
  • richslide
  • bailey78
  • Tyrannous
  • ras_menelik
  • roso614
  • NicoleAren
  • KJP65
    • 0
      KJP65  

    • I think it is great that Bill was able to go over there and represent the US as only the N. Koreans would accept. He is awesome if nothing else. I really dig Laura's "pieces and I am really glad they are now back to normal. Kevin P-Citrus Heights CA

    • 6 months ago
  • Egnatius212
    • 0
      Egnatius212  

    • Notice though how none of the stories on current mention their names or who they were affiliated with. I guess there is still some censorship going on.

    • 6 months ago
  • Alex_French
  • Denica_Cassandra
    • 0
      Denica_Cassandra  
    • Image...

    • I am so glad that they are free after almost five months. Laura Ling is one of my favorite journalists and I am glad that she and Euna Lee will be home with their families soon.

      ~*~*~* Welcome Home!!! *~*~*~

    • 6 months ago
  • logicpocket
    • 0
      logicpocket  

    • I 'm glad to hear these two women will be back home with their families soon. I'm also quite curious as to how Mr. Clinton pulled this off so well, owing to the recent volleys let loose between his wife and the North Korean government.

    • 6 months ago
  • Egnatius212
    • 0
      Egnatius212  

    • I am so relieved they were let go. It would have been terrible if they weren't released, I hope Laura gets to see her daughter soon, if she hasn't already.

    • 6 months ago
  • errrrrric
    • 0
      errrrrric  

    • thank goodness!! now i don't have to get all pissed off and then suddenly sad every time the promo for vanguard comes on and shows laura. you know when that radiohead song comes on and you get the chills...

    • 6 months ago
  • murderthumbs
  • jeannieb
  • roso614
  • Sahuaro
  • lucidstone
    • 0
      lucidstone  

    • GREAT NEWS!!! Heard this on the public radio and went nuts . . . welcome back home!

      And thank you Current, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, and Obama admin for helping to bring them home.

      . . . good effing news. =)

    • 6 months ago
  • dreamdoc
  • CaptB
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  

    • Go Bill Clinton! :) I'm kind of surprised that Al Gore couldn't do it because he also went to North Korea in attempt to persuade them to pardon.

      Overall, it's great news for the girls. :)

      Sorry to be a downer, but out of the two, there are probably hundreds still in those labor camps. :(

    • 6 months ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  

    • So excellent! I am so happy that they will finally be returned home and able to see their families! Also happy Current is acknowledging this good news! HURRAY!!!!

    • 6 months ago
  • xiola
  • coopersampson
  • JohnA
  • GodsnLiberals
  • mycall306
  • xiola
  • metalcookiesxy70
  • PoliticalGeek
  • seanalyn
  • calm_incense
  • xiola
    • 0
      xiola  
    • calm_incense:

      I would like to know why Current felt the need to censor... Perhaps they will comment on this now. When my post was pulled, I was given no reason. I'm not angry, just curious. I'm so glad the journalists are safe.

    • 6 months ago
  • Egnatius212
    • 0
      Egnatius212  
    • calm_incense:

      I'm also curious as to why current censored this story. It was already widely known, and it didn't stop anyone from finding out about it. I understand it is a sore subject, but censorship is never the right option.

    • 6 months ago
  • murderthumbs
    • 0
      murderthumbs  
    • calm_incense:

      Yeah.. They (Current) have been very quiet about this whole situation. Seems like they were afraid that North Korea was monitoring the network to see if Current would publicly condemn their actions or censor how it reported events. Maybe keeping their mouth shut is just what saved the two journalists!

    • 6 months ago
  • seenbean
  • lucidstone
    • 0
      lucidstone  
    • calm_incense:

      I imagine that Current won't get into the underlying geo-political details of why it was needed for them to remain silent over the detainment of these girls via CurrentTV, Current.com, and general press . . . but I'll put 1000::1 odds on that it can be summed up with "aiding diplomatic negotiations".

      Personally, I believe the "respectful" silence was 100% necessary to help secure their release . . . and I personally believe Current did the RIGHT thing by putting the interests of Laura and Euna (and their families) ahead of appeasing their viewers.

      Thank you Current for being silent when it was difficult to be.

    • 6 months ago
  • xiola
  • allIknowis
  • MoonLoon
  • lionboy
    • 0
      lionboy  
    • calm_incense:

      Also, Al Gore's connection to Current added another dimension to this. Apparently he and Bill Richardson were both very involved in laying the groundwork for Clinton's trip. YAY for everyone involved.

    • 6 months ago
  • CalgarC
  • BrianMcFayden
  • TE1091
  • Trypnotik
  • unimatrix0
  • GodsnLiberals
  • agonfiles
    • 0
      agonfiles  
    • unimatrix0:

      Whatever happened, the two stood trial in North Korea and were declared guilty of illegal entry and planning of committing "hostile acts." In North Korea's eyes, they were already guilty. Apparently during their trial (according to North Korea's media statement), the two admitted to crossing the border. North Korea's pardon, or even holding, of the journalists came from their desire to hold talks with the US administration.

    • 6 months ago
  • bachan
  • 1Eco_Media
  • xiola
    • 0
      xiola  
    • 1Eco_Media:

      I was going to ask the same thing.

      I'm grateful they are safe though. I'm glad we're allowed to discuss it now. Censorship is alive and well on Current, unfortunately. Perhaps they'll discuss why they felt the need to censor. I'm anxious to hear...

    • 6 months ago
  • jjkenjr
  • PoliticalGeek
  • nkeg87
  • CalgarC
  • GrinningSatyr
    • 0
      GrinningSatyr  
    • 1Eco_Media:

      They probably removed it because they didn't want to do anything inflammatory, or that North Korea would use as a bargaining chip against them in trials/negotiations.

      While I agree censorship is bad, they did the right thing in this situation. It maximized their chances of survival.

    • 6 months ago
  • retro_Syl
  • BKsaysAction
  • mojojuju
  • RojoGatto
  • JohnA
  • ameshisu_chan
  • CharlieG
  • Apocalipstick
  • GodsnLiberals
  • Apocalipstick
  • Led
  • jimmiwin
  • BrianMcFayden
  • mirror
    • 0
      mirror  

    • What , I wonder were the conditions of release? no press on the state of N. Korean Prisons I wonder? Kim shot him self in the foot. got more press of these two that a million bucks could afford......

    • 6 months ago
  • valvogt
  • seenbean
  • rednblack11
  • Alex_French
  • CalgarC
  • Alex_French
  • fryods
  • larkjl86
  • MissAmanda
  • GodsnLiberals
  • jaystyx

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