Download the Politics Daily Toolbar
Our new toolbar integrates the latest news and analysis into your Web browser and installs in seconds. Download it now!

Politics DailyPolitics Daily

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • COLUMNISTS
  • TOPICS
  • THE CAPITOLIST
  • WOMAN UP
  • DAILY FLOTUS
  • JUST IN
  • THE CRAM
  • CONTACT
  • Inside Politics Daily

    Report: North Korea Accepts Apology, Releases Journalists

    Posted:
    08/4/09
    Filed Under:Woman Up
    Never underestimate the power of a former president. Expressing "sincere words of apology," Bill Clinton persuaded North Korean President Kim Jong Il to release two American journalists in Pyongyang Tuesday, the North Korea state media reported. Laura Ling and Euna Lee were arrested last March, while reporting for U.S. news outlet Current TV.
    Get the new
    PD toolbar!
    The two, who inadvertently crossed a stream bordering China into North Korea, were convicted of "hostile acts" and sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labor. The state news agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced "the measure taken to release the American journalists is a manifestation of the DPRK's humanitarian and peace-loving policy."
    Hopefully it won't be a matter of some friction at the Clinton dinner table that last month Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, describing the two women as "remorseful," requested a grant of amnesty, but was refused. Her husband garnered what the North Koreans called a "special pardon."
    CNN reported that the Korean government declined to accept similar overtures from the Obama administration to send Clinton's former Commerce Secretary, Bill Richardson, or former Vice President Al Gore to negotiate for release of the women. Gore is a founder of Current TV.



    Follow PoliticsDaily On Facebook and Twitter,
    and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!

    Bonnie Goldstein

    Bonnie Goldstein has been a private eye, Senate aide, coat check girl, Slate columnist, and investigative producer for ABC News.... more

    Contact Bonnie Goldstein

    subscribe to: RSS email: Bonnie Goldstein
    • Happening Right Now

       
    Woman Up on Facebook

    Other News