Two U.S. Journalists Sentenced to 12 Years in North Korean Prison
Two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who reported for former Vice President Al Gore’s Current TV, have been convicted and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in North Korea as they were found guilty of “committing a grave crime against North Korea,” and illegally entering the country. The Central Court in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, stated that they would be sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.
Laura Ling and Euna Lee had been filming a Current TV story about North Korean refugees on the border of North Korea and China when they were seized by North Korean authorities.
Tensions between North Korea and the world have mounted in recent days as the journalists are being used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the United States. The White House released a statement today stating that President Obama is “deeply concerned and the United States is engaged through all possible channels to secure their release.”
Laura Ling’s sister, Lisa Ling, formerly of ABC’s “The View,” broke down when giving a statement pleading for North Korean Officials to release her sister and Euna Lee.
