Journos: Koreans Grabbed Us on Chinese Soil

(NEWSER) - Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling did in fact cross into North Korea while reporting from the border, Ling's sister tells CNN. "She did say that they touched North Korean territory very, very briefly," she says. "She said it was maybe 30 seconds. And then, you know, everything just sort of got chaotic." Lisa Ling says her sister plans to share her "very powerful story" soon. More»

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»

(NEWSER) - Bill Clinton is in North Korea, where he will attempt to secure the freedom of two American journalists imprisoned since March, Reuters reports, citing South and North Korean news agencies. "As soon as he arrives, he will be entering negotiations," said a source. The White House and State Department declined comment. Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced in June to 12 years' hard labor. They work for Current TV, co-founded by Clinton's VP, Al Gore. More»

Diplomat granted access for first time since women received 12-year sentence

(NEWSER) - A diplomat has been allowed to visit Euna Lee and Laura Ling for the first time since North Korea sentenced the US journalists to 12 years' hard labor, CNN reports. The Swedish ambassador, acting on behalf of the US, met with the journalists in Pyongyang, according to the State Department. The ambassador is pressing the North Koreans for more information on the women, and "many different avenues" are being pursued in a bid to free them, said US officials. More»

(AP) - Two American journalists sentenced in Pyongyang last week to 12 years' hard labor were detained in North Korean territory after crossing into the country illegally, state-run media said today, providing the first details about the circumstances of their arrest. Laura Ling and Euna Lee "admitted and accepted" their punishment of 12 years' hard labor for committing politically motivated "criminal acts," the report said. More»