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Heartsick Journo Families Plead for Mercy

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2009 2:32 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The "shocked and devastated" families of two San Francisco journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labor in North Korea have pleaded with authorities to show compassion and free the women from a grueling future behind bars. The families are concerned about the "wellbeing and mental state" of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, and said that Ling's 4-year-old daughter was "anguished," according to a joint statement.

"We ask the government of North Korea to show compassion and allow them to return home," said the statement. The women were sentenced for an unspecified "grave" crime and crossing the border while investigating a story on the trafficking of women for Current TV. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was "pursuing every possible approach" to free the women.  

Euna Lee and Laura Ling were sentenced to 12 years or an unspecified grave infraction as they were investigating a story for Current TV on the trafficking of women near the North Korean border.
Euna Lee and Laura Ling were sentenced to 12 years or an unspecified "grave" infraction as they were investigating a story for Current TV on the trafficking of women near the North Korean border.   (AP Photo/Yonhap, File)
South Korean protesters hold aloft photos of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee at a rally in Seoul, South Korea, last month.
South Korean protesters hold aloft photos of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee at a rally in Seoul, South Korea, last month.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
South Korean protesters shout slogans as they hold pictures of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee earlier this year.
South Korean protesters shout slogans as they hold pictures of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee earlier this year.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Robert_Dada
Jun 9, 2009 11:58 AM CDT
I don't think there is no outrage but this is beyond just the arrest of 2 journalists. They've become pawns in a huge political game and the West must tread carefully if they have any hope of securing their release early. Per Lee Dong-bok, an expert on N Korea negotiating tactics, "(North Korea) is using the sentence as bait to squeeze concessions out of the U.S. amid heightened tension,"
Alexandria
Jun 9, 2009 8:58 AM CDT
This is so terrible. If you want to find out more about the hard labor camps where these two women will have to stay for 12 years unless something changes: http://freekorea.us/2007/02/18.../ It's fascinating, and so sad. I don't understand why there isn't more outrage about what's going on
Robert_Dada
Jun 9, 2009 6:42 AM CDT
And just how do you know that they entered the country illegally and were spies? Did the North Koreans or Chinese tell you? Yes, those are 2 reliable sources.

Kin plead for compassion
Telegraph (UK)

 
China • North Korea • South Korea • prison • trial • Current TV • prisoner • sentence • Euna Lee • Laura Ling

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