By The two American journalists kidnapped by North Korea now face the possibly of being charged with espionage:
These undated photos show two American journalists Laura Ling, right, and Euna Lee. Ling and Lee... Expand These undated photos show two American journalists Laura Ling, right, and Euna Lee. Ling and Lee were detained by North Korean soldiers while on a reporting trip earlier in the week near the country's border with China, South Korean news reports said today. Collapse (Yonhap/AP Photo)
North Korea has assured the United States that two detained American women journalists will be treated well, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Tuesday.
But Wood backtracked from earlier remarks that he was “aware” that the pair faced espionage charges, saying only that North Korea has informed the United States that it believes the two entered the country illegally.
“The North has assured us that the detainees will be well treated,” Wood told reporters at the daily news media briefing.
He declined to say whether US officials received the assurance directly from the North Koreans, which have a mission at the United Nations in New York, or through Sweden, which represents US interests in Pyongyang.
He said US officials are pressing for the Swedes to visit the two who have been identified as Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, who work for Current TV in California.
“We have formally requested, through our protecting power in Pyongyang, the Swedish embassy, that the Swedish government be provided with consular access to these two Americans,” Wood added without saying when the request was made.
In Seoul, a South Korean daily said Tuesday that North Korean intelligence officials are questioning the journalists and will likely try to persuade them to confess to spying, a South Korean daily said Tuesday.
JoongAng Ilbo, quoting a South Korean intelligence source, said the pair were transported to a top-security guest-house on the outskirts of Pyongyang a day after they were seized before dawn on March 17 along the border with China.
State Department officials said they do not know where the pair are being detained.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service declined to comment, and an analyst said he doubted whether the pair would be charged with spying. [Associated Press]
The worst thing this pair can do now is claim they are spies. Even if it was coerced it would legitimize their kidnapping by North Korea and give them maximum propaganda value.
I still think these two will be held as bargaining chips until after North Korea conducts its missile test and are being used by North Korea to push them to the front of the new US administration’s agenda to get the bailout payment they desperately need. Compared to AIG paying off North Korea would be extremely cheap.
There could already be back channel communications going on to get these two released even before the missile test if the US privately agrees to not implement sanctions on North Korea after the test and begins negotiations on North Korea’s bailout payment that will be called a denuclearization agreement.
So what are the chances that while whatever talks are going on to secure their release someon in the Obama administration will ask North Korea about Kim Dong-shik?
6:03 am on March 25th, 2009 1
It's been established that they crossed the river and entered North Korea and were captured in North Korea, so it wasn't a kidnapping.
Their timing couldn't have been any better – just when the North Koreans needed a bargaining chip – a couple of over zealous reporters hand themselves over to them.
6:08 am on March 25th, 2009 2
A third reporter was videotaping from the Chinese side of the border and he was detained by the Chinese authorities. The videotape revealed that they were interviewing North Koreans who had defected into China.
So these idiots not only endangered themselves, they have put the lives of those whom they were interviewing in grave danger, as presumably, the Chinese will provide a copy of the video to the North Koreans.
9:37 am on March 25th, 2009 3
Why does anyone in the US even care??? I bet they got their citizenship fraudulently. How about someone over at INS check into this. I am sick and tired of immigrants coming to the US and showing nationalism for their former country. I bet a million bucks that neither Ling or Lee have any relatives in the US military. I would bet another million bucks that if any of their relatives were ever drafted into the US military that they would run back to asia before you can say kimchi. Let's not endanger any American lives over these idiots.
10:20 am on March 25th, 2009 4
I don't care how they were citizens or not. The U.S. makes the mistake of coming to their rescue.
IMO if you are caught in a sudden govt coup or some other disaster, the U.S. should help it's citizens. But if you DELIBERATELY go to a place of danger where you are trying to stir up chit, then the U.S. govt should NOT be using any power or bargaining to help you.
12:33 pm on March 25th, 2009 5
It has not been confirmed they were in North Korea yet, it is speculated by Rev. Chun that their guide may have led them into North Korea:
http://rokdrop.com/2009/03/25/did-captured-americ…
12:41 pm on March 25th, 2009 6
It makes no difference. They are citizens of the US and the US is obligated to stand in their defense. Are the reporters stupid? Yes. Frustrating for the US? Yes.
1:25 pm on March 25th, 2009 7
My point is that we shouldn't stand in their defense. They chose to cross into North Korea, which is illegal. If a U.S. citizen robs a bank we don't try to stand up for them. Remember the caning in HK or Singapore a few years ago? A U.S. kid decided to vandalize cars and the U.S. tried to get involved. The kid got his caning. In this case, these activist pushed a limit they knew was there, and got caught. It's on them.
3:44 pm on March 25th, 2009 8
Umm guys… there is currently NO evidence saying they crossed into N.Korea. ALL we have is a North Korean statement saying they were caught on the NK side of the border, and ZERO from China on the matter. The guy that set them up with the China visit was speculating that their guide may have lead them into NK without warning them.
4:52 pm on March 25th, 2009 9
#3, That was the stupidest post that has ever been posted here. Just because the two are of Asian descent and not Caucasian, African American or Native American ancestry you presume that they just got off the boat?
7:01 pm on March 25th, 2009 10
I can't help but agree with what WHY posted.
1:17 pm on March 28th, 2009 11
Good point.
2:09 pm on March 28th, 2009 12
Until we know where they were captured, using reasonably credible evidence, we have little ground to work with.
On putting the refugees in danger by what they are doing and themselves — if it were not for the work of activists and journalists like this – we'd get virtually no information or publicity about the plight of the refugees and what is going on inside North Korea.
Without the work people like this have done to create the small handful of documentaries about this issue, there would be almost zero pressure on China to stop cracking down and shipping these refugees back to certain torture in NK and zero public awareness of what is going on.
The world is ignorant enough about the problem without demonizing the people trying to spread the word.
3:39 pm on March 28th, 2009 13
The North Koreans know what they're doing, they're extremely smart and powerful GANGSTERS! The kidnapping of these journalists are just a play out of their gamebook.
Page ONE of NK's gamebook says "Whenever we don't get what we want then load a rocket on a launchpad and kidnap a couple of foreigners close to our border"
Honestly, I don't know why the world continues to put up with NK. They slaughter hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children just like Hitler did in the Holocaust but nobody cares and nobody does anything about it. NK could be taken out in one or two days if the allies launched an attack. China would be furious but they wouldn't stand in the way, they don't want to ruin their economy.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Il continues to slaughter families in his concentration camps.
10:32 am on March 30th, 2009 14
I feel for the journalists. The problem is that her sister did a story on North Korea she didn't make N.K. look to good. Also I believe Lisa Ling was let in N.K. to do a story and she did more than a story she exposed the country more. North Korea was not happy about it. Then younger sister tries to do another story on N.K. N.K. found out they got caught. Its payback from her older sisters story. I believe they will do more than 20 years. I hope they don't get sentenced to death for espionage. Oh yea for the a-hole she is a citizen I remember Lisa Ling when she was 14 or 15 she always wanted to be a journalist.
11:03 am on March 30th, 2009 15
I too feel for them as any person of sound mind would be. The issue is the stupidity of their actions which caused their capture and embarrasment to the US. It should send a red flag to any journalists who believe the "power of the press" gives them some sort of immunity from their activities.
I think both of these "journalists" were very nieve as to the possibility of getting caught and the consequences. I hope they don't end up like Daniel Pearl.
3:51 am on March 31st, 2009 16
I have to agree with most posts here (except for the “fresh off the boat remark).
Lee and Ling knew the risks going in, they made a choice and unfortunately for them, it was a bad choice. The cause to show what is and has been transpiring in North Korea needs to be constantly reminded to the world as most have a short attention span. However, they could have gotten the same results in China by speaking with N. Koreans there without prancing over to the North Korean side and think all would be ok (maybe take some footage of the North from a safe distance). Who knows, maybe they were set-up? Again, they knew the risks going in and I can assure you that they are not being treated in the best of ways. I’m sure there is some sleep deprivation, little food and constant interrogations taking place as we speak and I guarantee that after about a week or so of this they will say and write whatever the N. Koreans ask them to write. Remember the British Royal Marines that Iran captured and claimed to have entered their waters? We’re talking about folks that have been trained and conditioned to resist and keep cool under duress. They were forced to appear on Iranian TV and plot their locations (that the Iranians gave them) and make statements voicing they were wrong.
Just how long do you believe these two can hold out and only say they were writing a simple story on N. Korea?
Yeah, I feel sorry for them and hope they get back soon. But on the other side I cant help but think how irresponsible and laissez-faire they were in planning (or lack of) in their trek into “uncharted” waters. We’ll see very soon what the future holds for these reporters most likely after the launching of the rocket. I sincerely will continue to hope for the best and curious on what N. Korea will be reporting for the next couple weeks.
9:13 am on March 31st, 2009 17
We still don’t know where they were exactly when they were captured, but I think we should also step back a second from the insanity that is North Korea to put what the two did in perspective:
Imagine if they were on the border with Mexico or Canada in the US or pretty much most any national border in the world. Even if they illegally entered the territory of a sovereign nation, you certainly wouldn’t see them locked up and put on trial for espionage. They would be an immigration issue.
If there was, say, a military or naval base or other some such national security asset on the border and they were trying to infiltrate that — that is a different story…
…but just taking video after crossing the border illegally wouldn’t be considered a crime against the state almost anywhere but North Korea.
Are the few documentaries that get made about Korea using footage from the border region and hidden cameras further inside the state a threat to Pyongyang — sure.
But the root cause of that isn’t some illegal action on the part of the people making the documentary — but the illegal, inhumane nature of the regime.
NK has to try to keep its people ignorant about the world and the world ignorant about what goes on inside North Korea. So it carries out these actions that would be ludicrous done by some other nation.
Can you imagine some French reporter being arrested and charged with espionage for crossing over the Italian border and interviewing people?
11:38 am on March 31st, 2009 18
Its not France, and it's not Italy. If they are going to try to do something dangerous, they knew the risks. They knew there was danger, yet they decided to put themselves in a position to be captured.
I agree with the statement: They probably could have gotten as much from interview NKs inside of China without having to put themselves in a compromising position.
1:07 pm on March 31st, 2009 19
It no longer makes any difference as to what they did or didn't do. They are pawns in a political game with the US. They are to go on trial. Illigal crossing of the border alone is a three year sentence. Not saying nice things about North Korea is 10 years additional.
With the upcoming missle launch and the Norths desire for direct talks with the US, what better opportunity for the North.
2:16 pm on March 31st, 2009 20
if they were attractive white women, then the media will be all over this story and there will be a huge public outcry. then the politicians will be all over this and make sure they are safety rescued. and we will proabably see a made-for-tv movie based on their experience in nk on lifetime channel. too bad for them that they are asian.
2:26 pm on March 31st, 2009 21
For a conspiracy theory…….prove they aren't working for the North……….
2:31 pm on March 31st, 2009 22
Kimchi2000 you are probably right. If these girls were white there probably would be a lot more media focus on them.
But because they are asian, specifically of Chinese origin, they probably will receive much better treatment than if they were white.
Actually, these girls might like it up there. They better as they'll probably be there for awhile.
3:14 pm on March 31st, 2009 23
Kimchi2000, I have a hunch—it’s just my hunch. I’m going to venture to guess that the fact that these women are Asian emboldened them to take this foolish risk. Because they are of Asian origin and may speak Korean and/or Chinese, they probably felt less conspicuous than if they had been women of European ancestry. Thus, they may have felt the North Korean border guards would not suspect anything out of the ordinary. As for the major American media outlets, aren’t they supposed to be the champions of ethnic minorities and fairness?
You may have hit a cord of truth on this point, Kimchi2000.
5:58 pm on March 31st, 2009 24
Just wow, I wondered how long till the "racist" card got played.
N.K. is holding these two as a political card in the upcoming missile test. There is no evidence that they went into NK, and NK is known to grab people who are near their border. NK's going to use the to get as much money as possible.
6:20 pm on March 31st, 2009 25
Jim Clancy just had this Mr. Han Park (University Professor in Georgia, UNITED STATES) and he said the girls may be living in a luxury style villa! Funny, he was just in N. Korea and they wouldn't let him see the 2 girls.
Here's the interview in it's entirety: http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/0…
He also said the US and western media misunderstands North Korea and that their intent is not to stand up to Obama but they are just displaying their "Science and Technology". He said they're going to launch a satellite and not a missile.
He said maybe everyone should just take NK at "Face Value".
I mean, Jesus F'ing Christ I guess anything is possible but I think Mr. Park is just a North Korean Sympathizer and has bought into all the BS they told him in NK. What do I believe?
1. NK is launching a missle to stir up the west because Obama is not in office and the G-20 is going on.
2. NK Kidnapped those two girls right to get more of what they want.
3. The 2 girls are NOT living in a luxury villa
4. NK tortures and murders thousands of it's own people in concentration camps every year.
5. Mr. Park is a North Korean Sympathizer and probably has a picture of Kim Jong Il in his bedroom.
6:56 pm on March 31st, 2009 26
Oh, by the way, the North Korean leadership said they do not run a terrible place like Guantanamo. Oh please Dear Leader and Mr. Park, don’t make me vomit my lunch. If anyone wants to know the kind of camps the Dear Leader runs, read Kang Chol-hwan’s The Aquariums of Pyongyang.
8:31 pm on March 31st, 2009 27
I completely disagree with Kimchi2000 and think it is quite ludicrous to even think that is why they are still being held.
First, if Anne Curry, Christiane Amanpour or Katie Couric were in the shoes of Ling and Lee it would be a whole different ballgame as we are speaking about high profile news anchors (a royal flush) as opposed to two virtually unknowns. Forget the fact that Lee and Ling are asian as it is a baseless argument. The difference between them though is very simple really, three famous/seasoned news anchors smart enough not to place themselves in apparent harms way and two unknowns walking in front of a speeding train. Quick jab, if Katie Couric did find herself in their respective shoes, I would ask N. Korea to please keep her as she bores me. (my opinion
) If you are looking at the major news networks, Lee and Ling are not getting the same coverage as the soon to be launched rocket. Again,if it was the other three, news stations would be going overboard on why these famous media gals are still in custody, blah….blah….blah….
Honestly, pulling the race card is crap and shame on folks who think that. N. Korea doesn't give a rats A$$ what your ethnicity is. They only know (A) you are not North Korean (B) you're someone with a video camera snooping around (C) they can get away with yanking you sorry A$$ over to their side and capture you or wait till you stray into their neck of the woods and get you.
Marcus Ambrose pretty much summed it up. We're not talking about France or Italy here.
8:57 pm on March 31st, 2009 28
In Seoul, I'd say unless Mr. Park is the bigger fool unless he turns out to be correct that NK is just launching a Science Satellite and the two girls in captivity are living it up in a luxory villa. Clancy was just trying to keep from laughing at the BS coming out of Park's mouth. Old Jim should be commended for keeping a straight face.
11:06 pm on March 31st, 2009 29
I don't want to exaggerate, but anyone who makes excuses for or refuses to see the reality of North Korea is as terrible a person as a Holocaust denier. There is simply too much information available, even about as closed a society as NK is, for these people not to be detested.
11:39 pm on March 31st, 2009 30
KIMCHI2000, Ah come on, the media IS all over this story, and there is a huge public outcry. I'm sure the politicians as well are doing what they can to get them out. As for a made for TV movie, its probobly crossed several peoples mind as well. Your comments are really racist, and you need to see someone about your persecution complex.
1:41 am on April 1st, 2009 31
NoNK, I was left with only one question after looking at the interview: Who is the bigger fool, Jim Clancy or Park Han?
4:32 am on April 1st, 2009 32
I would like to think you are correct about Clancy. As for Park Han, even if it is a satellite, which I doubt it is, the man ‘comes across’ as wilfully blind to the rottenness that is the North Korean system, or worse, overly sympathetic to a tyrannical regime he knows is bad. Consequently, at best I still view him as foolish and at worst aiding and abetting a despotic leader, even if it turns out he was right about the villa and the satellite.