Reporters get 12 years in NK labor camps

[Fury]

 

 (CNN) -- Two U.S. journalists detained in North Korea while covering the plight of defectors living along the China-North Korea border have been sentenced to 12 years in labor camps, the country's state-run media said Monday.
Euna Lee has been in North Korean custody since March when she and another reporter were detained.

Euna Lee has been in North Korean custody since March when she and another reporter were detained.
Click to view previous image
1 of 2
Click to view next image

The Central Court of North Korea sentenced Laura Ling and Euna Lee for the "grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing," the Korean Central News Agency said Monday.

Ling and Lee were taken into custody March 17. They are reporters for California-based Current TV, a media venture of former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

The idea of sending either Gore or New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to Pyongyang on a mission to get the journalists released has been floated to the North Koreans, senior administration officials told CNN.

Observers had been barred from their trial, a U.S. State Department spokesman has said.

Ian Kelly told reporters that according to media reports, the trial began Thursday. He said the department was informed by the Swedish ambassador to North Korea that no observers were allowed in the courtroom.

Sweden represents the United States in North Korea, because the two countries, which fought on opposite sides during the three-year Korean War in the 1950s, do not have diplomatic relations.
Don't Miss

    * N. Korea bars observers at reporters' trial
    * Japanese researcher recalls imprisonment in N. Korea
    * Families plead for reporters held in N. Korea
    * In depth: North Korea nuclear tension

Kelly called the trial an "opaque procedure."

He said the department was notified that the reporters had a defense attorney but wasn't given the lawyer's name. U.S. officials have repeatedly called for the journalists' release.

North Korea charged the reporters with illegal entry into the country, "hostile acts" and spying.

Their families broke months of silence this week, making public pleas for their release.

"When the girls left the United States, they never intended to cross into North Korean soil. And if they did at any point, we apologize," Lisa Ling, Laura Ling's sister, said on "Anderson Cooper 360" on Wednesday.

"And we know that they are very, very sorry. And we ask that you show mercy today," added Lisa Ling, a special correspondent for CNN. Video Watch family members describe what little they know »

Contact with the women has been extremely limited.
advertisement

The Swedish ambassador was allowed to see the two women last week, according to the U.S. State Department. The ambassador met separately with them March 30 and May 15.

Despite the limited communication, the families say they've heard enough to know the women are "terrified" and "extremely scared."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/08/nkorea.journalists/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

[240 is Back]

very very sad.  Those poor people. 


Obama's response: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/world/asia/08korea.html?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

[ATHEIST]

i read on cnn that they had to be found guilty to be later pardoned which is to be expected because the courts could not find them innocent. they will also be in a "labor prison" which does not sound pleasant at all. i am surprised this isnt getting more exposure. i am also very surprised Al Gore's camp responded with a "no comment" being that Laura worked for him, very sad on his part. N. Korea needs to be handled already. Euna and Laura Ling were doing a documentary on women abduction into N. Korea. they have already been there too long. what is taking so long?

[Deicide]

very very sad.  Those poor people. 


Obama's response: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/world/asia/08korea.html?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

They'll be contest lean in no time.

[24KT]

i read on cnn that they had to be found guilty to be later pardoned which is to be expected because the courts could not find them innocent. they will also be in a "labor prison" which does not sound pleasant at all. i am surprised this isnt getting more exposure. i am also very surprised Al Gore's camp responded with a "no comment" being that Laura worked for him, very sad on his part. N. Korea needs to be handled already. Euna and Laura Ling were doing a documentary on women abduction into N. Korea. they have already been there too long. what is taking so long?

What would you expect him to say? If he is involved with negotiations to have them pardoned, any public comment on his part could jeopardize those talks. Furthermore, given the current situation with NK, this is not the time to be ratcheting up the rhetoric regarding this situation. There's no doubt in my mind these women will be used as bargaining chips

[Soul Crusher]

What would you expect him to say? If he is involved with negotiations to have them pardoned, any public comment on his part could jeopardize those talks. Furthermore, given the current situation with NK, this is not the time to be ratcheting up the rhetoric regarding this situation. There's no doubt in my mind these women will be used as bargaining chips

Dear Leader is laughing at Obama because he knows he will get more concessions to release these two.

Al Gore should volunteer to go to these labor camps since he has a lot of fat to burn off and they were working for him. 

Once again reality comes back to bite Al Gore in the ass.

[Straw Man]

This is all a sad game and has MUCH (if not everything) to do with Kim naming his youngest son as his successor last week.

I'm sure Gore has been advised to say nothing and I'm sure the Obama Admin is doing the dance behind the scenes to deal with the nutjob.

[headhuntersix]

They said Gore was headed to nKorea this weekend. Either Barry stopped him or nKorea were like "who".

[Soul Crusher]

This is all a sad game and has MUCH (if not everything) to do with Kim naming his youngest son as his successor last week.

I'm sure Gore has been advised to say nothing and I'm sure the Obama Admin is doing the dance behind the scenes to deal with the nutjob.

Gore should always be advised to STFU since most of what he says are lies and distortions anyway.

[Straw Man]

They said Gore was headed to nKorea this weekend. Either Barry stopped him or nKorea were like "who".

All I could find were stories that said he may go to North Korea.

I'm sure whatever is going on no one will know until after it's over

[Deicide]

This is all a sad game and has MUCH (if not everything) to do with Kim naming his youngest son as his successor last week.

I'm sure Gore has been advised to say nothing and I'm sure the Obama Admin is doing the dance behind the scenes to deal with the nutjob.

I am telling you, contest ripped in just a few weeks!

[Straw Man]

Gore should always be advised to STFU since most of what he says are lies and distortions anyway.

great contribution

[tonymctones]

very very sad.  Those poor people. 


Obama's response: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/world/asia/08korea.html?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

that article was about NK and their recent nuke activity not the reporters...nice spin...you think they might have wanted to begin looking at options ohhhhhhh iono when they launched their "satillite"?

[Straw Man]

that article was about NK and their recent nuke activity not the reporters...nice spin...you think they might have wanted to begin looking at options ohhhhhhh iono when they launched their "satillite"?

The speculation is that the missle test, the detention of the reporters, and the fact that Kim Jung Il named his youngest son as successor last week is not a coicidence.

think about it for a few seconds and you might see why some would think these are not isolated events

[George Whorewell]

According to 240, they were spies anyway. They should recieve the death penalty.

[tonymctones]

The speculation is that the missle test, the detention of the reporters, and the fact that Kim Jung Il named his youngest son as successor last week is not a coicidence.

think about it for a few seconds and you might see why some would think these are not isolated events

I totally agree these events are linked iono why you believe them to be linked but nipping the first one in the bud or at least responding to the first one could have prevented the second, third and what is sure to be the fourth and fifth etc...events

also not a coincidence that all this is taking place months after obama got into office...

[Straw Man]

I totally agree these events are linked iono why you believe them to be linked but nipping the first one in the bud or at least responding to the first one could have prevented the second, third and what is sure to be the fourth and fifth etc...events

also not a coincidence that all this is taking place months after obama got into office...

I think you are correct about this too.

when I responded to your post I thought you were responding to mine and I didn't notice it was from Rob

[Straw Man]

I totally agree these events are linked iono why you believe them to be linked but nipping the first one in the bud or at least responding to the first one could have prevented the second, third and what is sure to be the fourth and fifth etc...events

also not a coincidence that all this is taking place months after obama got into office...

I'm not sure what nipping in the bud would mean in this case.  I believe it's likely that Kim Jung Il had planned to name his successor and planned a series of events in obvious attempt at saber rattling.   I believe the reporters were detained prior to the missle test and Il just named his son as successor last Tuesday.   I don't really see what/how could have been "nipped"

[tonymctones]

I'm not sure what nipping in the bud would mean in this case.  I believe it's likely that Kim Jung Il had planned to name his successor and planned a series of events in obvious attempt at saber rattling.   I believe the reporters were detained prior to the missle test and Il just named his son as successor last Tuesday.   I don't really see what/how could have been "nipped"

the saber rattling possibly could have been nipped in the bud if something had been done about NK "satellite" launch...you think that they would have continued down the road they have is they had recieved a clear message that those actions or actions along those lines would not be tolerated? possibly but not probably...Like you said and I pretty much agree with this is saber rattling and will continue as long as its tolerated.

[Straw Man]

the saber rattling possibly could have been nipped in the bud if something had been done about NK "satellite" launch...you think that they would have continued down the road they have is they had recieved a clear message that those actions or actions along those lines would not be tolerated? possibly but not probably...Like you said and I pretty much agree with this is saber rattling and will continue as long as its tolerated.

we'll have to see how Obama Admininstration and the international community will handle it.

hopefully it won't be the virtual capitulation by the Bush Admin....after they tried their own attempt at saber rattling Yeah - I know Bush is gone - but we're still dealing with the aftermath.  Maybe if Bush hadn't taken NK off the list of state sponsor of terrorism or had enforced their agreements with NK we wouldn't be dealing with them now.

[tonymctones]

we'll have to see how Obama Admininstration and the international community will handle it.

hopefully it won't be the virtual capitulation by the Bush Admin....after they tried their own attempt at saber rattling Yeah - I know Bush is gone - but we're still dealing with the aftermath.  Maybe if Bush hadn't taken NK off the list of state sponsor of terrorism or had enforced their agreements with NK we wouldn't be dealing with them now.

hmmm im not saying bushs actions where the way to go but seriously the situation would still be much the same...again its no coincidence that all this is taking place a few months after obama got in...what would NK still being on the spot list have done to stop them from any of the actions they have commited so far with obama in office?

[Straw Man]

hmmm im not saying bushs actions where the way to go but seriously the situation would still be much the same...again its no coincidence that all this is taking place a few months after obama got in...what would NK still being on the spot list have done to stop them from any of the actions they have commited so far with obama in office?

I've alreayd agreed with you that the new Administration is certainly part of the timing of these events.

Bush's policy toward NK was a complete disaster and roundly criticized by all parties including John Bolton

I know I posted this before (and I think this guy is wacky, though not dumb):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121478274355214441.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122385733887027383.html

[tonymctones]

I've alreayd agreed with you that the new Administration is certainly part of the timing of these events.

Bush's policy toward NK was a complete disaster and roundly criticized by all parties including John Bolton

I know I posted this before (and I think this guy is wacky, though not dumb):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121478274355214441.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122385733887027383.html

and i already agreed with you about that...in the first article it says that obama agreed with the way bush handled NK...

what would NK still being on the spot list have done to stop them from any of the actions they have commited so far with obama in office?

[Straw Man]

and i already agreed with you about that...in the first article it says that obama agreed with the way bush handled NK...

what would NK still being on the spot list have done to stop them from any of the actions they have commited so far with obama in office?

well that was candidate Obama in 2008 and we've already seen him go back on things that he said on the campaign trail but perhaps this is one where he'll be consistent.

honestly - I think NK will do whatever they want until their is some revolution or military action.   I don't think Kim Jung Il give half a shit about his people or his country

[tonymctones]

well that was candidate Obama in 2008 and we've already seen him go back on things that he said on the campaign trail but perhaps this is one where he'll be consistent.

honestly - I think NK will do whatever they want until their is some revolution or military action.   I don't think Kim Jung Il give half a shit about his people or his country

I agree that he doesnt give a shit about his ppl but iono about military action being the only thing that will stop them. It needs to be a viable option as it is probably the only thing NK respects in the long run but again if actions that are being considered now would have been implemented after the satellitle launch i seriously doubt NK would still be going down the road they are.