U.S. Journalists in North Korea. Will they survive?
North Korea has condemned two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, to 12 years of harsh labor in one of it’s notoriously brutal labor camps. Lee 36 and Ling 32 are journalist for Current Tv, a network founded by Algore. The former vice president is expected to visit North Korea and argue for the release of the two women. After a 5-day trial they were charged with a ‘grave crime’ against the country and are expected to be transferred within 10 days of the ruling.
This arrest comes at a particularly heated time, as the U.S. and North Korea are engaged in negotiations over nuclear weapons and military advancements. President Obama and his administration officials are working through ”all possible channels” to secure their release. However, it is possible that Pyongyang has a hidden agenda.
“North Korea will certainly use the reporters as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States,” said Hajime Izumi, North Korean expert.
North Korea is known for the brutality of their labor camps. Malnuritment, beatings, and torture are common place amongst the correctional facilities. The death rate is off the charts and many prisioners only last a few months. The philospophy behind theses prisons is reform through labor.
These two journalists who put their life on the line to inform on what we need to know, now need us!
Twitter @LiberateLaura
I think they won’t have to serve long in the labor camps if at all. It would be really stupid for North Korea to put them there. It’s just a political move to get what they want from the United States.
I agree. It is a move to turn negotiations on nuclear power in their favor. If they do have to serve any length of time in those labor camps I doubt they will be subjected to the same treatment as Korean citizens. This is to high profile of a case. I just wish there was a way to stop such atrocities peacefully.
I heard about this briefly this morning, and this really sucks for them. But they had to know the risks, especially with where they are going and with what conflicts are going on. Not that they deserve it, I hope we get them back!
Its just a hostage situation, the only difference is instead of being held by a lunatic w/ a gun they are stuck in a hostile nation. God I hope our country can save these innocent people.