By The Swedish Ambassador has just had his fourth meeting with the two detained US journalists:
The U.S. State Department says the Swedish ambassador to North Korea met two imprisoned American journalists in Pyongyang, their first meeting since a North Korean court handed down their 12-year sentence.
Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Tuesday that Ambassador Mats Foyer met with Current TV journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling earlier that day, but Kelly did not provide any details of the meeting.
It was the fourth meeting between the ambassador and the journalists since the women were detained on March 17th.
The Swedish ambassador represents U.S. interests in the country because the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea.
The spokesman said that Washington continues to appeal for the reporters’ release on humanitarian grounds. [KBS Global]
7:39 pm on June 24th, 2009 1
Haven’t seen ‘Al Gores” name in the media ever since they were caught. Anyone know where he went?
Reply
9:47 pm on June 24th, 2009 2
That’s hot!
Reply
10:54 pm on June 24th, 2009 3
Did he give them a Swedish message?
GI, you really should get a pool going on when they will be released.
My personal opinion, based on the public actions of everyone involved, is that they crossed into North Korea, were arrested, convicted and sentenced based on whatever system the North Koreans consider “law”.
While the American government feels that 12 years is unjust, they dare not use this as a basis for complaint since all sorts of people in America are given long sentences for rather victimless crimes… unlike these two who were, more or less, targeting the government of North Korea.
If I were to join the pool, I would say one year from the date of conviction or Dear/Great Leader’s birthday… whichever coincides with some unrelated concession by the American government…
…because it seems there are some irritated politicians and diplomats who are not about to make any concessions just for the benefit of these two.
And, depending how things go, they may be there longer.
Reply
11:02 pm on June 24th, 2009 4
That’sa spicy meat-a-ball! Hey!
I still think the more attention the garner, the longer they will be there. Let everything quiet down and the norK’s would most likely, very quietly, release them. No fanfare, etc.
As long as there are people out there pushing the story, KJI will ride this into the ground.
Reply
12:45 am on June 25th, 2009 5
Al Gore still scheduled to be the keynote speaker in Melbourne, Australia for a climate conference on July 13.
Spelunker still predicting August 10 release for ROK Drop office pool.
Both husbands got calls from their wives on Sunday and told reporters at today’s vigil that Laura Ling’s medical condition involving her ulcer has deteriorated and now Euna Lee has developed a medical problem as well.
Reply
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
YEAH, BABY
CHECK IT OUT! 
I WIN THE ROK DROP RELEASE POOL! 
My prediction for Laura and Euna’s release was August 10, a prophetic statement that I mentioned even before this June 25 post.
Bill Clinton will arrive in Pyongyang on August 5 to finalize negotiations for the release of Laura and Euna. That means my original prediction was within 5 days!
WHO DA MAN?
Reply
August 4th, 2009 at 7:26 am
You are pretty close but they haven’t been released yet but lets hope they are. I have been saying 3-6 months of detainment which is how long these past situations went. 12 months detainment at the latest simply because that would be longer than the Pueblo crew capture. I would be surprised if they were detained for over a year but with North Korea who knows what they plan to do?
Reply
August 4th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Bill Clinton just shook hands with Kim Jong-il; wonder if he managed to take Kim’s pulse during the long handshake. There’s no way Bill leaves Pyongyang empty handed; but his wallet might be $200,000 lighter.
Shall we begin a new thread and contest to see how much money Bill Clinton has to pay Kim Jong-il for Laura and Euna’s “hotel expenses”? This is so fun!
1:17 am on June 25th, 2009 6
Ok, if there is a pool, I’d have to go with 16 February.
Reply
4:17 am on June 25th, 2009 7
I’m with you on Feb 16, Leon.
A big fat pardon on Dear Leader’s birthday would show what a swell guy he really is down deep under that rugged exterior.
Will they be let go for medical conditions?
Maybe… but unless they are on death’s door, probably not.
It probably isn’t North Korea’s first experience with stress-related medical conditions among prisoners and their sympathy threshold is probably high…
…especially when these two reporters, who were fit enough to sneak around the boarder and attend social functions in California, are suddenly all sickly and whiny… not unlike all the murderers and kiddie touchers who find Jesus as soon as they get to jail.
Hindsight will be 20/20.
Reply