North Korea Have Done It

We are heartened by the news of the pardon and release of Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who had been sentenced since June 8, to 12 years in prison with hard labour for illegally entering North Korea and committing unspecified “hostile acts” while reporting near North Korea’s border with China.

The duo journalists: Laura Ling and Euna Lee were said to be reporting on the plight of refugees when they were arrested by the North Korean security apparatus for alleged spying.

Back-channel negotiations have gone on for months between Washington and North Korea over the fate of the two women, and it appears likely that some understanding was reached before the former President of America, Bill Clinton, risked making this high-profile trip to secure their release.

Everyone can be happy that Bill Clinton won the release of the two imprisoned American journalists on his surprise visit to Pyongyang, North Korea.

It is magnanimous on the part of the North Korean to have listened to the voice of wisdom in pardoning and ordering the release of the two journalists who are now happily re-united with their families.

At the level of the wider society, there is also a need to revisit our stand with regards to media/government relations, in particular, the private media.