Two American journalists sentenced to 12 years in North Korea [Archive]

Tracian

04-25-2009, 07:44 PM

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two American journalists detained in North Korea entered the country illegally and intended "hostile acts," according to the nation's state-run news service, KCNA.

The journalists are reporters for the San Francisco, California-based media outlet Current TV.

"The illegal entry of U.S. reporters into the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] and their suspected hostile acts have been confirmed by evidence and their statements, according to the results of [an] intermediary investigation" conducted by North Korean officials, KCNA reported Monday.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/30/north.korea.journalists/

Any thoughts on this?

Tracian

06-06-2009, 01:24 PM

I am really disapointed that neither Obama or Hilary have not been more vocal about this:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/06/20096415050281297.html

Where is the support of the American people? These young women are basically facing a possible death sentence, due to the conditions of North Korea prisons/hard labor camps.

We don't even know what is going on regarding the trial, or what they are actually accused of....

The sister of one of the captives was one of the women on THE VIEW and now works for CNN.

While I am not a fan of Al Gore, I do support his desire to help these women.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525175,00.html

Charms

06-08-2009, 02:07 AM

Both were sentenced to 12 years hard labor.
Their sentence is non appealabe because it was tried in the highest court of North Korea.

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea said its top court convicted two U.S. journalists and sentenced them to 12 years in labor prison Monday, intensifying the reclusive nation's confrontation with the United States.

The North's Central Court tried American TV reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee during proceedings running from last Thursday to Monday and found them guilty of a "grave crime" against the nation, and of illegally crossing into North Korea, the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

It said the court "sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labor." The KCNA report gave no other details.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31160497

FallenAngel♥

06-08-2009, 02:39 AM

unbelievable ............ :(

Thank you for the update

Charms

06-08-2009, 03:28 AM

unbelievable ............ :(

Thank you for the update

YW. I feel sorry for their families, but especially their young children.

*Spike*

06-08-2009, 05:00 AM

I dont understand our world. So sad for the families.

aproudmom

06-08-2009, 09:35 AM

This is horrible news I was praying for a good outcome praying for this family 12 yrs OFGS

joolz

06-08-2009, 09:46 AM

This is terrible. And WTH is North Korea trying to provoke? :angry:

ortiga

06-08-2009, 09:51 AM

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

"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.

As a result, the court sentenced the women to "12 years of reform through labor," meaning they will serve out their sentence in a labor prison."

ortiga

06-08-2009, 10:20 AM

That thread could be titled "The poster guy5 effect?"

Because neither Obama nor poster guy5 are even mentioned in the article.

I don't know how you can post thread titles like this.

rowstreeter

06-08-2009, 10:25 AM

LisaM22

06-08-2009, 10:27 AM

You be the judge.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525362,00.html

that is not the title of the article, your suppose to be honest and use the title of the article you wish to discuss as the subject

ortiga

06-08-2009, 10:29 AM

This is, of course, a tragedy of international proportions.

I am sure people from around the world will work with Obama to get these women released as soon as possible. Thankfully Obama has many allies and intermediaries from many nations willing to work on this on behalf of these two women. I would prefer diplomacy and a peaceful release over cowboy talk.

They seem to be pawns that were in the wrong place at the right time. The plight of 2 young women, 12 years at hard labor, this is PR for the NK.....to show how "mighty" they are. At least it ensures that the world will pay notice. If it were 2 guys it might be different, realisticly speaking.

FREEMORE

06-08-2009, 10:37 AM

Amused

06-08-2009, 11:16 AM

geez, the one has a 4 year old daughter. :sad:

penguin01

06-08-2009, 11:38 AM

You be the judge.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525362,00.html I gather you have judged and made your decision. Care to share?
What do you think Dubya or the GOP would recommend doing about N. Korea's "extraordinarily threatening" behavior - if they have any ideas? I keep trying to find info on their recommendations for action, but can only find the ususal criticism of the President.

YoYo

06-08-2009, 11:42 AM

That thread could be titled "The poster guy5 effect?"

Because neither Obama nor poster guy5 are even mentioned in the article.

I don't know how you can post thread titles like this.

From the article:

"Over the weekend, President Obama used strong language on North Korea's nuclear stance and said his administration did not intend "to continue a policy of rewarding provocation."

(And the two women were sentenced today, Monday?)

Philly

06-08-2009, 11:49 AM

If you know anything about North Korea, there are NO diplomatic relations with that country. Their dictator is a nutjob. Hundreds of Thousands of people are risking their lives to get out of that country where they are starving and being brutilized. It is very dangerous for anyone to be near their border (especially Americans).

Obama had zero to do with what has happened over there. It would be wise for journalists to stay as far away from there as possible.

JMO

Tracian

06-08-2009, 11:52 AM

North Korea jails US journalists

A court in North Korea has sentenced two US journalists to 12 years' hard labour, state media say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8088601.stm

Tracian

06-08-2009, 12:02 PM

Fault is not the issue, what action is going to be taken is.

On KTVU this morning an analyst in regards to North Korea stated that in his opinion, North Korea is 'testing' our new President, that is why he changed his tactics and began missile testing and putting this two women on 'trial'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8088601.stm

According to the above link; the women were in China, they did not cross the boarder.

annalyzer

06-08-2009, 12:11 PM

Better question is what is China doing about it?

KP1935

06-08-2009, 02:42 PM

Americans must remember other countries play by different rules.

I agree, imagine if the US played by these rules - "Oh, your in our country illegally? 12 years in jail and then you'll be deported." When you travel, you have to abide by the rules of others. I mean come one, when I take my son to his grandparents, some things that happen in our house don't fly at grandma and grandpa's.

FREEMORE

06-08-2009, 03:03 PM

emdragon

06-08-2009, 03:18 PM

Why were they over there? This is a known hot spot. I don't like the harsh sentence and hope they will be returned to their families very soon however nothing should have been more important than their lives. Americans must remember other countries play by different rules.

What were they doing over there? Their Jobs.

They were in CHINA doing a story they had no intention of crossing the border into NK.

RayStar

06-08-2009, 03:42 PM

What were they doing over there? Their Jobs.

They were in CHINA doing a story they had no intention of crossing the border into NK.
I just want to jump in here. Well too late for no intentions right? I heard on the tv they were doing some work about mistreatment of women. I wonder how many other women from the USA are in that area. Aren't Americans warned about traveling to other countries across the big pond?
Hey Ms. Clinton is working to get them released real soon.

FREEMORE

06-08-2009, 03:50 PM

Just what is the their employer doing to get them released?
It just seems to me that they could have had an assignment in a far less hostile location.

MaybytheBay

06-08-2009, 03:52 PM

Isn't China the world's worst jailer of journalists........

KP1935

06-08-2009, 03:53 PM

KP1935 Snipping posts is allowed here as it does not usually take away the message of the quoted poster.
Is that grandma's house part of your post, worthy of being in this serious frightening matter of these two women??

KP how fast do you think these two women would chance making this trip again if and when they are released??

I'm guessing what you are saying that I should NOT have snipped the post, my fault, I'm sorry. Yes, the grandma's part of my post shows that what happens in one situation isn't good in another. These women were caught in a country they were not authorized to be in and such, should be treated according the laws of said country.

I would hope the next time they travel to another country they stay IN that country and not venture into unauthorized countries.

FREEMORE

06-08-2009, 04:06 PM

I'm guessing what you are saying that I should NOT have snipped the post, my fault, I'm sorry. Yes, the grandma's part of my post shows that what happens in one situation isn't good in another. These women were caught in a country they were not authorized to be in and such, should be treated according the laws of said country.

I would hope the next time they travel to another country they stay IN that country and not venture into unauthorized countries.
NO in fact I like snipping posts. If someone was just reading this thread and just saw the one sentence of mine that you quoted, they could very easily not understand the meaning of my sentence.

Now this post I am quoting in its entirety is one that I can agree with.

I don't think they intentionally crossed over but I guess this is an extremely costly accident.

annalyzer

06-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Isn't China the world's worst jailer of journalists........

I don't know. Are there any American journalists jailed in China?

barskin&co.

06-08-2009, 04:32 PM

They seem to be pawns that were in the wrong place at the right time. The plight of 2 young women, 12 years at hard labor, this is PR for the NK.....to show how "mighty" they are. At least it ensures that the world will pay notice. If it were 2 guys it might be different, realisticly speaking.

This was an outrageous prosecution with even more outrageous sentences. Obviously, the North Korean regime intend to use the two women as bargaining chips. I do beleive that they will reach a diplomatic outcome and a release, but Laura Ling and Euna Lee and their families must be suffering mightily.

Lady_Jean_La

06-08-2009, 04:49 PM

joolz

06-08-2009, 05:08 PM

Secretary Clinton is talking tough. jmo

I'm glad she is - this is a horrible travesty.

Edited to add: Do you have a link to what HC said? I'd like to read or watch it. Thanks.

Lady_Jean_La

06-08-2009, 05:17 PM

I'm glad she is - this is a horrible travesty.

Edited to add: Do you have a link to what HC said? I'd like to read or watch it. Thanks.

The United States will consider reinstating North Korea to a list of state sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in an interview broadcast yesterday as the Obama administration looks for ways to ratchet up pressure on Pyongyang after recent nuclear and missile tests.

The Bush administration removed North Korea from the list of terrorist states last year as part of an unfulfilled commitment by the dictatorship to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. North Korea was placed on the list in 1988 after its agents were implicated in the bombing of a South Korean airliner that killed 115 people.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/07/AR2009060700717.html

joolz

06-08-2009, 05:24 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/07/AR2009060700717.html

Thanks for the info.:smile:

Lady_Jean_La

06-08-2009, 05:31 PM

I was listening to an interview this morning. It was a man who survived 10 years in a North Korean prison. He has written a book about his experience. According to him only 20% survive 10 years in that prison. Everyone breaks during their time there.

jmo

MaybytheBay

06-08-2009, 05:56 PM

I don't know. Are there any American journalists jailed in China?

Americans...right now....I don't know....but there are numerous writers, journalists....freelance reporters jailed and sentenced and or deprived of rights for writing about human rights and exposing government corruption....China is explicitly harsh with surveillance and censorship of the internet...

Tracian

06-08-2009, 07:19 PM

The title of this thread needs to be changed in my opinion.......North Korea has never been our friend. If these two women had been arrested while Bush was in office, the same exact outcome would have taken place than as well with them going to prison. This has nothing to do with Obama and everyone (....or nearly everyone) knows it.

They may well have been abducted with Bush in the White House, but there have been analysts that believe that NK is testing Obama and how he is going to react to the testing and also the imprisonment of these two women.

It would not be the first time a new admin is tested by ruthless dictators.

Grayson

06-09-2009, 02:45 AM

This is so sad. Yesterday night it was all I could help to think about was "we need to get them out of North Korea". It really is heartrbreaking, I know there are some discrpencies in the story, about what and how they actually crossed into North Korea, but weather it's their fault or not or they took a risk or not. It still will be a really heartbreaking case. And one I hope can turn out safely for the both of them.

Not Telling

06-09-2009, 05:52 AM

The good news is that they weren't charged with and convicted of espionage... Gov. Bill Richardson and VP Al Gore, are ready, willing and able to leave at a moment's notice and have been cleared by the White House to fly to North Korea to try and secure their release... It probably won't be announced ahead of time, and they could very well already be near to North Korea awaiting word... The N. Koreans like and trust Bill Richardon and he has traveled there many times... Al Gore brings a lot of clout and that should please the North Koreans...

The bad news is that the girls will probably be sent to the labor prison within 10 days, so there isn't much time to negotiate...and they will only have one opportunity to get it right....

China is the key, if they tell N. Korea, they have gone too far this time, and to release the women, N. Korea will, but they will want something in return... It's hard to predict if China will get involved with this matter...

jmo

aproudmom

06-09-2009, 07:07 AM

Why were they over there? This is a known hot spot. I don't like the harsh sentence and hope they will be returned to their families very soon however nothing should have been more important than their lives. Americans must remember other countries play by different rules.

I am not real sure but from what I heard they had just crossed over into NK not real sure but I am sure all journalist are aware of the danger but this would be one place I would not want to end up they scare me.:scared:

aproudmom

06-09-2009, 07:15 AM

They may well have been abducted with Bush in the White House, but there have been analysts that believe that NK is testing Obama and how he is going to react to the testing and also the imprisonment of these two women.

It would not be the first time a new admin is tested by ruthless dictators.

I saw they did this at this time because it was when we were discussing them testing rockets or what ever so this is a way of getting to Obama and see what actions we will take now..so got to agree with you..This country I have said for years is the one to watch
on HLN one has medical problem of ulcers omg I know if I do not have my meds I am throwing up acid and the little 4yr old..missing her mommy:crying: I pray for their safe return

*Spike*

06-09-2009, 09:27 AM

I pray for these 2 women & their families. :rose:

Tracian

06-09-2009, 11:02 AM

http://www.ktvu.com/news/19655380/detail.html

updated yesterday.

lune3

06-09-2009, 01:52 PM

Given North Korea's nuclear program, securing Ling and Lee's freedom is going to be extremely difficult.

From the Los Angeles Times today June 9:

North Korean labor camps a ghastly prospect for U.S. journalists:

"A top U.S. goal is to prevent the effort from being linked to the larger dispute over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. But the outcome of that effort is anything but certain, experts said.

"I think it very unlikely that the North Koreans would let them go without some serious extortion," said L. Gordon Flake, a Korea expert and president of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, a Washington think tank. "But giving in to that extortion would fundamentally undermine broader U.S. national security interests."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-north-korea-camps9-2009jun09,0,2613512.story

justaguy

06-09-2009, 08:04 PM

I am not real sure but from what I heard they had just crossed over into NK not real sure but I am sure all journalist are aware of the danger but this would be one place I would not want to end up they scare me.:scared: i have been following this pretty closely..ya know how sometimes one particular story really grabs ya? a reporter that lives in south korea said that the area where the two countries divide is in that area kinda sketchy..and with the receding water of the river they may have unknowingly crossed the line OR the north koreans may have decided they crossed that line.

he went on to say that he thought the us was taking the right tack ie no REALLY "i dare u" or strong statements even thru the trial. that now that N.K. has sentenced them...the real negotiations start. he said that the problem is separating them from the other issues. i was left with the impression that if/wen the women are released, N.K. wants it to be viewed as mercy on criminals, not that they were pushed into it. its an awful tightrope to walk for anyone involved isnt it? sorry i dont have a link to this specific discussion..it was on during my mornin coffee yesterday.