Laura Ling and Euna Lee Update

I received this message from someone: "Jubal By now, you will have seen that Lisa Ling acknowledged to CNN that her sister crossed the North Korean border: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/06/AR2009080604139.... This confirms my assertion that the two reporters acted in a highly irresponsible manner. Surely, they could have covered their story without having risked being arrested and becoming pawns of the North Korean regime. As a result, the world media has focused on the plight of the two reporters instead of the plight of those caught up in human trafficking--the focus of their story. Need further proof?"

I listened to what Lisa Ling said on the MSM News and I heard her say that neither Laura or Euna had any intentions of crossing over into North Korea. I believe that once all the facts are in, it will become clear that Kim Jong Ill capitalized on the fact that they were there doing a story ON THE CHINA SIDE of the border and ordered his people to SEIZE them so he could manipulate the situation. This guy is that devious, which I doubt Laura and Euna are, devious that is.

I also subscribe to the idea that Journalists should be SHEILED from divulging sources of information and should not be jailed for collecting and reporting information. This is essential to a free society; of which N. Korea is not, a free society. They don't have any respect for reporters. So it is logical to assume that any state that doesn't have an open and free society would automatically assume that a foreign journalist is a SPY.

I could certainly understand the concerns of any state that there could be spies among those claiming to be journalists, however, clearly Laura and Euna have been journalists for many years and both have high profiles. So it is not reasonable to assume that they were spies.

Also I don't buy into the idea that they intentionally crossed the border to become the story.

Okay am to say it again. I’m glad that there home with their families! YEAH! But really look at issue what and who sent them over there can we know that please America. Thank you to Bill we know now how to get out a issue if we go to some country and your there to bail us out of any problem. Thanks America o know that you care for are people over there although we have people here that have been arrested and wrongly jailed in the USA HELP THEM OUT AMERICA SUPPORT THEM TOO

just an american wanting to know?

Welcome home ladies. I hope that your experience has not dampened your spirits.God bless you and God bless everyone who quietly worked for your release. The time it took for your return shows this man how dangerous the thinking of North Korea's leadership must be. I missed your insighful revealing pods but I realize that while you were being held we could not let your captors know how important your truly are to the world. Thank you all for your courage.

Job well done President Clinton

I never seen so many new users!~

But also since no one has been directly been answered by the staff upon the explanation of why the censorship, i think I might have to create a post about or something, if the staff was ordered to, I still want to know why of that cause, I'm going have a direct answer from someone of the staff...

Safety yes, but still....

I am so, so happy they Euna & Laura are home. Their input and excellent reporting was greatly missed. Regarding Current not reporting on this during the incident; this is something I can truly understand. They were in the hands of someone who does and will take advantage of anything. They were not going to give any fuel to the fire and I respect that. Also, the family didn't wish for any media coverage that could be turned in to hype and possibly turned against Euna & Laura and delay any possible release. The comments I see here about Clinton and him being repaid are just in major bad taste and really sully the good news of their release.

Thank you Current TV for respecting the families privacy and for not potentially fueling a very bad situation.

Laura & Euna, welcome home cannot even begin to be enough to express how glad we are that you are back!

Yay! Thye're finally back!! =D

After the emotion subsides from the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee from North Korea, I would hope that the two reporters and Current TV would reflect on their responsibilies--or in this case, irresponsibilities--as journalists.

Specifically, why was it necessary for the reporters to cross the North Korean border or to even have been close to it? It seems to me that they could have produced the same story about human trafficking without having to have actually visited the border. Surely, they must have considered the risks they were taking and Current TV should have set the ground rules for their reporting.

Instead, the journalists have injected themselves into the dynamics of North Korean-US relations and unwittingly handed a propaganda coup to one of the world's cruelest dictators. Not so "super-cool."

To me, this was highly irresponsible of both women as well as the management of Current TV. One would hope to hear an apology from the two reporters and Current TV once the tears have dried.

Time to grow up, kids.

Dayum! I've been arrested and wrongly jailed in the USA, and I can't imagine what those two women went through in North Korea. Welcome home ladies! And also, big ups to Bill Clinton. He's got SUPER SWAG!

Hells Yes!

I appreciate how Current managed this situation so far. They have done the best thing by not talking about this situation on the website: it could have made the release efforts useless. Imagine loads of people posting on this news and getting angry and pissed at NK... this would have fu**ed up all diplomacy. Moreover, they could have used the story to earn some visibility and get new advertising but they were courageous not to do it. It shows they really care about their employees. I really praise the work done by Current and by the government. I don't understand why some people in the community still talk about "censorship"... These are delicate things and sometimes we must keep our mouths shut for the good of the ones we care. Moreover, if you want to bring people together for a cause you can create a website or open a group on facebook. Not a big deal! I'm really happy about this happy ending and I wish them all the best. Peace.

I am so happy for Laura and Euna and their friends & family! You two were missed by A LOT of people.

In the last four months I had a lot of questions about this story and would have liked to seen some more reporting on this issue, but I do not criticize Current. The negotiations with North Korea were very delicate and held in secret. With a volatile leader like Kim I don't blame the Current staff for doing their part, they made sure to not give him a reason to keep the women in prison. I applaud Al Gore for calling upon the former president Bill Clinton to help get them back.

I am THRILLED that Laura and Euna are safe and sound and on American Soil once again. I can't imagine everything you guys went through, my heart broke for you while you were over there. Please, in the future do me a favor and stay SAFE!!!

I'm so happy that Laura Ling and Euna Lee are back on free soil. Their families and friends should be proud of these two young ladies.And the hero of this episode is certainly Bill Clinton! Let no one tell anything otherwise!!

I'm so happy that Laura Ling and Euna Lee are back on free soil. Their families and friends should be proud of these two young ladies.And the hero of this episode is certainly Bill Clinton! Let no one tell anything otherwise!!

I am glad that these women have finally been freed, although I must wonder as well why has their been so much censorship of their situation?

When I found out what was going on, I wanted to create support for the situation throughout the current community and create a post to inform the uninformed. However me and others like myself who posted the story of the two journalists found themselves censored.

Marianna said that the current staff was a tight-knit family. Fortunately, I don't not think that is very true. The viewership and posters who are concerned for all of the reporters well-being and appreciate the risks they take every time they bring us a story can be considered family too. I couldn't fathom how I would feel if this situation had gone badly and talks broke down. I don't know Laura or Euna on a personal level, but I feel as if I know them a little because they bring me an experience in information that I cannot acquire anywhere else on network television.

I am extremely happy that these brave women have been returned to us. As I continue to study in communications in school, I eventually hope that if I ever find myself in a similar situation that I can show the same courage and resolve these amazing women did. Welcome home Laura and Euna.

So glad they're home. thanks for being a greta source of reporting and news to all of current tv.

welcome home, Laura and Euna.

How come thses two females get relief when the United States is doing the same thing with Leonard Peltier?

How come thses two females get relief when the United States is doing the same thing with Leonard Peltier?

Aw! Watching that seriously just made me cry. I'm so glad this is done with and they are being returned home safely!!

So it so interesting to see the double standard...if Laur and Una were military and or worked for the CIA...people would be outraged....these stupid broads were in the country illegally!!!! Why the celebration ????? They broke the sovereignty of another country

I wonder how Bill expects these two ladies to repay him,with his wife being on the other side of the world.

Current TV:

How happy you must be for their return! Who is running this network? Current did not report a single story about the journalists' situation until they were brought home safely. We were given no official information from Current about the reason why they were inside North Korea.

Where is Al Gore's statement? Does he prefer to remain in the shadows until a press conference/photo op can be convened with the journalists to announce his success in bringing Clinton into the negotiation process?

It would be interesting for the public to learn the real story on this.

Thank god I can happily say a lot of cynical side has died right now

Okay, I'm going out on a limb and going for positive and negative. It's great that they were released, no doubt. On the other hand Kimmy knows now he can take someone as a prisoner and we'll back down. Not sure how this is going to affect out credibility, but again, I'm glad they are home.

Hm. I never knew Al Gore is a Current co-founder. That explains the political agenda.

i like the way the network doesn't address this issue until AFTER they have been freed. what the hell would have happened if they stayed for all those years?? anywho, glad they're back safely. i'm sure all the viewers of current were hoping for the best~

ladies and yes gentlemen...I love your on-site coverage and I'm sixty years old...not exactly yr demographics....but please be more careful.....this damn world is splitting up into little bits of nastiness and to cover it you must be a little more cool which is my generations way of saying cautious

I was really, really hoping we'd get them out of there. I hope they're doing alright.

We MISSED them Soooooooo much! Thanks to Pres Clinton! great news!!!!

Finally some good news :)

Wonderful, Wonderful! Welcome Home!

My very best wishes to both of you and your families.

amazing news!!

I am so glad they are back safely.

awesome! welcome home!

Finally we can all talk about what has been kept quiet on Current since it started. Hurray. All anybody ever wanted to do was comfort one another and send happy thoughts to them through our contributions.

I am so happy that they are home.

Very happy to hear this.
Welcome home Miss Ling and Miss Lee.

Yeah welcome back ladies!! Hope your okay!! Much love and well wishes from your man here up In RENO NV..Cant wait to hear your story!!

Sad that media companies make a big profit from this. For how long will they profit from this story? The Congo genocide is not profitable enough so you shift our attention to Clinton humanitarian efforts?

teared up a lil bit.

glad it's finally over for them.

What were they reporting "along the Chinese/North Korean border" on March 17? I thought this particular Vanguard assignment was to conduct interviews with North Korean refugees in the Chinese city of Yanji.
Why was it necessary to approach the actual boundary on the Tumen River? Was the Current TV crew trying to interview North Korean border sentries?

Oh well, at least they're finally home! Welcome back!

What an incredible day and thanks to our hero, former President Bill Clinton, who reminds us about Grace and Flexibility. He deserves a medal and the girls will be welcomed back among thousands of sighs of relief and joy for their freedom and safe return to their families.

Four long months, two strong women.

Welcome home you two!

THANKS!!
im so glad they're home
:D

Amazing end to a terrifying experience. Thx to all involved in the liberation!