Freed Journalists Return to US

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2009 7:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – Laura Ling and Euna Lee are back on US soil, CNN reports. The freed journalists touched down with Bill Clinton this morning in Burbank, Calif., where they were met by their families before a swarm of journalists and dignitaries, including Al Gore. Lee embraced her 4-year-old daughter for the first time since March before Ling took to the microphone and quickly broke into tears recounting their meeting with Clinton: "We knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end."

Gore then spoke, thanking his "friend and partner" Clinton, and the Obama administration, which he said had been "deeply involved" in the effort to free the journalists. Hillary Clinton said earlier she was "extremely excited" by the journalists' release, and denied reports that Bill offered Pyongyang an apology. “It is just a good day to be able to see this happen,” she said. Ling's father agreed, calling it "one of the best days of my life."

[Images (16)]

[Videos (1)]

Euna Lee holds her 4-year-old daughter, Hana Saldate, as they return to their home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/John Lazar)

Euna Lee, left, is greeted by her husband Michael Saldate and daughter, Hana, after arriving at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. Two American journalists jubilantly reunited... (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Euna Lee is greeted by husband Michael Saldate and their daughter, Hana, after she and fellow journalist Laura Ling arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Al Gore watches as journalists Laura Ling, left and Euna Lee speak after arriving at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif. early Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/AP Television News)

Laura Ling, top, and Euna Lee arrive at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Euna Lee, left, and Laura Ling are greeted by their husbands and Lee's daughter, Hana, after arriving in Burbank, Calif., Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Euna Lee, left, and Laura Ling are greeted by Lee's husband Michael Saldate, Ling's hubby Ian Clayton, and Lee's daughter, Hana, at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Laura Ling is hugged by husband Ian Clayton after she and fellow journalist Euna Lee arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Laura Ling is hugged by her sister Lisa after she and fellow journalist Euna Lee arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Euna Lee holds her daughter Hana after she and Laura Ling arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. Standing at left is Ling's sister Lisa. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Laura Ling, center, gets a kiss from her mother Mary as they joined by former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, Euna Lee, after Ling and Euna Lee, standing right to Ling, arrived... (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Former President Bill Clinton listens to Laura Ling, an American journalist who was arrested in March after allegedly crossing into North Korea from China, after Ling and Euna Lee arrived at Bob Hope... (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Former Vice President Al gore, center, hugs Laura Ling as former President Bill Clinton looks on at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. Ling and Euna Lee, the two American journalists... (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Pardoned American journalists, Laura Ling, in green, and Euna Lee, in red, are greeted by Bill Clinton as they board a plane bound for the United States. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)

American journalists Laura Ling, center, and Euna Lee, far right, just amnestied by North Korea, prepare to leave an airport in Pyongyang with President Bill Clinton (not pictured), Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Binyang)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Laura Ling speaks. (msnbc)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Rescue Mission Puts Spotlight on Bill's Contacts

(NEWSER) - The same sprawling network of business and political contacts that caused trouble with Hillary Clinton's confirmation as secretary of state helped her husband secure the release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the Washington Post reports. Private donors paid for Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea, and the former president handpicked the team that came with him, which included his former chief of staff. More»

Bill and Al: Buddies Again?

(NEWSER) - Today's warm embrace between Bill Clinton and Al Gore was just like old times, writes Adam Nagourney in the New York Times. The two have largely been on the outs since 2000, but they shared a "long and emotional hug" after Clinton's North Korean trip. While they've had spotty contact in recent years, Clinton readily agreed to the mission when Gore called 10 days ago. And Gore was there leading the applause upon Clinton's return. More»

Both Clintons, Gore Played Role in Release

(NEWSER) - The release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling has catapulted Bill Clinton back onto the world stage, but as the New York Times reports, the former president—and husband of the secretary of State—was only selected for the role a few days ago. Hillary Clinton proposed several envoys for mission, including Al Gore and Bill Richardson, before her husband emerged as the North Koreans' preferred choice. It was Gore, whose Current TV employs Lee and Ling, who asked Clinton to travel to Pyongyang. More»

Kim Jong Il Pardons Journalists

Ling, Lee could be back in US tomorrow: official

(NEWSER) - Kim Jong Il has pardoned two American journalists who had been sentenced to hard labor for entering North Korea illegally, and ordered their release during the visit of former President Bill Clinton, the AP reports. Clinton had an emotional meeting today with the two women, an official tells ABC News, adding that Laura Ling and Euna Lee may return to the US tomorrow. Clinton himself left North Korea this evening. Al Gore, who founded the TV outlet where Ling and Lee worked, initially asked Clinton to visit North Korea, ABC notes. More»

Clinton Meets With Kim Jong Il

(NEWSER) - Bill Clinton has met with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, official state media reports. The Korean news agency described Clinton as "courteously" conveying a message from President Obama, saying he and Kim shared a "wide-ranging exchange of views." But the White House denied that Clinton was bearing such a message, calling the trip a "solely private mission." The former president arrived in Pyongyang today in an unmarked aircraft, in an effort to free detained journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website