Lisa Ling's Sister and Friend Sentenced To 12 Years in North Korean Hard Labor Camp
Filed under: Legal Matters > Politik
This is just awful!
This past March, Lisa Ling's younger sister, journalist Laura Ling, and a companion, fellow journalist Euna Lee, were captured and detained by the North Korean military force. Though the exact reasoning is still unclear, it is to be understood that the women trespassed onto North Korea while working on a news story in China.
Since that time, Ling's family has worked vigilantly, in private and in public, to urge the immediate release of both women, as Lisa's sister suffers from a severe ulcer and Euna is the mother of a 4-year-old daughter.
Yesterday, the families received horrible news - as it was confirmed that the women were being sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp "for the grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing."
Crazy!
As the sad news reached the families of the courageous women, the U.S. government also has outreached to the North Korean authorities. U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelley said in a statement, "We are deeply concerned by the reported sentencing of the two American citizen journalists by North Korean authorities, and we are engaged through all possible channels to secure their release. We once again urge North Korea to grant the immediate release of the two American citizen journalists on humanitarian grounds."
The problem lies with the lack of communication between the United States and North Korea, as well as North Korea's need for leverage due to the tension related to testing of nuclear missiles. Knowing the situation, Lisa Lang not only hopes for the safe return of her sister and friend, but also for the doors of communication to be opened because of this incident.
Lisa says: "We would champion the opportunity to have these girls be the catalyst for diplomacy. I think it could be really amazing. The problem right now is that our two countries don't have a diplomatic relationship and so communication has been really limited. We are trying to encourage our two countries to come together and if this is the reason why they do, then we'll take it."
We send our best wishes to the women's families and we hope for their safe return. Soon!
[Image via AP Images.]
This is fucking awful…North Korea just wants to use these two woman as leverage for their bullshit politics and threats!!!
perhaps they should not have sneaked into North Korea.
Horrible horrible my stomach dropped. I went to the New York vigil and I'm just so surprised that things turned out this way. I don't wanna be a downer but these women won't survive a labor camp for 12 years and there's no good behavior prize I'm sure. I really hope America can figure this out because this is horrifying.
this is horrible…why would they risk their lives and cross over…so sad.
www.bellamuranoglassjewelry.com
Exactly, poopdiddy.
And where does the US government get of asking for anything on "humanitarian grounds?" Gitmo, anyone?
This is sad.
Bitch
This is terrible!!! I wish there was something I could do to help out. Honestly, since when did trespassing = a grave crime? In all honesty, Laura is lucky she's the sister of lisa ling because that pulls some leverage with the american population. It's terrible that N. Korea doesn't even recognize the two reporters as their sisters since they are of the same race. They at least show that respect to the S. Koreans.
Learn to spell fat gayboy!! It's Lisa Ling not lang. What a mutha effer! Can't even copy/paste correctly. Sheesh!
That fucking country!
.
Prayers of strength and freedom.
Poor North Koreans.
.
The people are sacrificed for nuclear proliferation.
.
They are starving and being abused for the power of a little dicked man.
.
Sad.
Kim Jong IL is pure evil
seriously? 12 years in a labor camp? if someone doesn't do anything, they probably won't survive.
So they tried to sneak into the worst dictatorship on the face of the earth (presumably to take video of the awful conditions). During a time of unprecedented international tension since North Korea has now detonated multiple nuclear devices. They are damn well lucky they were not shot as spies. A fine example as to why dilettante's should not get involved with serious issues. North Korea can wait until some of their real spies are arrested here and then offer a trade. Nice going ladies.
"the US government…has outreached to the North Korean…"?!!! Try "…has reached out…"" you fucking moron.
WHAT?!?!?!
THAT'S CRAZY!
I'M SO HAPPY I'M NOT NEARBY
OR FROM N. KOREA!!
AND I'M HAPPY THAT WHERE I
COME FROM AND THE COUNTRY I
LIVE IN NOW THERE'S A LITTLE
SOMETHING CALLED JUSTICE!
Re: Ksmurfer –
I AGREE W/ YOU =[ I DON'T
THINK SHE'LL SURVIVE 12 YRS.
OF HARD LABOR, I TRULY HOPE SO
BUT…
Who cares about ting ting and ling ling. What they did was illegal, but as usual, because they are american they should get some sort of pass. They did the crime, and should have known better. If Ling Lings health was sooooo bad, why was she on a trip like that? And if the other slopes 4 year old was soooo important, why would she be on an assignment like that? Let that be a lesson to allt he border jumping beaners. If the US had half a backbone, you would be in the same boat. They should wake up to a nice bowl of rice and a good ass fucking every day.
wow very interesting and sad
and obv north korea would do this very communist country
So Awful!
Say what you will about "perhaps they should not have sneaked into North Korea" but 12 years in a labour camp is horrifying. North Korean labour camps have comparable standards to concentration camps. These women's crime: "…the grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing." By North Korean standards a "grave crime against the Korean nation" is as suttle as listening to South Korean radio or mildy suggesting life sucks in the North. These poor women, I hope the States can do something about this otherwise their lives will fall apart in the North.
God bless them!! make fun,ClassyMingle.com
This is awful but these women are not teenagers and should have known better than to be looking for a story on the border of North Korea.
I'm currently living in South Korea teaching, this hits too close to home, so awful
"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime"
Al Gore has no conscience. He let these two innnocents do his political dirty work and now they might pay.
THey are both fairly attractive. They can survive as "entertainers" for the camp guards. Maybe get a few extra fish eyes in their gruel for protein.
Re: lawyer_in_hiding – Well said.
They knew perfectly well the consequences of thier actions.
Re: kerkieberkie – "It's terrible that N. Korea doesn't even recognize the two reporters as their sisters since they are of the same race."
Laura Ling is Chinese…North Koreans are Korean…how is that the same race??
Re: Mad Cow – You have no idea what you're talking about
Do you think this is North Korean retaliation for Lisa Ling's expose on cataract surgery in that country? Lisa Ling herself went into North Korea accompanying an eye doctor on a humanitarian mission to do cataract surgery on the poor. She had a hidden camera and recorded the unnecessary blindness people suffered. After their surgery they praised their leader and gave no thanks to the doctor. I could not imagine that the NK's would tolerate such a thing to happen without retaliation. If they can't punish Lisa they'll punish her sister.
How is this Gossip?
It's terrible real news
I'll go to CNN if I want that!
THAT'S TERRIBLE
i feel so bad for them
Re: Mad Cow – Fucking cow.
I get a kick out of the people calling these women stupid and hinting that they deserve what they've gotten. There will always be obnoxious Devil's Advocates, especially online, especially if they don't live stateside.
-
If you read research NK Labour Camps you will learn that most people in those labour camps don't deserve to be there (actually probably none). It is not officially known what these women did or did not do, regardless of what seems most likely. I agree that I wouldn't be within 1000 miles of the North Korean border at this time but nobody expects to be detained and tried and thrown into a labour camp for crossing or getting near a border.
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Someone mentioned it was good that Laura was Lisa Lings sister…It's actually a curse and a blessing. On one hand she's gonna matter a lot more than some local weather reporter, on the other hand Lisa Ling lied her way into NK a few years ago to report on free eye surgery and instead took the opportunity to report on what a horrific country North Korea is. Let's say they were none to pleased. To have Laura Ling fall into their laps is like a double blessing to them.
Re: ShoeGal* – 28 Never did. Never will.
I really do hope they get out, BUT at what price????? to continue to humiliate this country? having Obama apologize again and make us look even worse among our enemies? NK does not care about these women, their families are lucky that they are still alive. NK has a 'use' for them. Reporters, 'journalists' from this country have to come to their senses and realize that hostile countries DO NOT play by the same rules as the United States and do not write tickets/summons when people do something wrong. Right now, North Korea is being run by a crazy person(supposedly, if he is still alive). They would LOVE a collection of americans, South Koreans, and Japanese that have 'broken their laws'. The more leverage, the better. The more leverage, the more money they can siphon out of us and make us look like even bigger idiots.
they shouldn't have tried to sneak into North Korea by knowing the dangers.
However everyone knows they're going to be used as a pawn against America. They'd probably agree to something if they can keep doing their nuke testings.
It's sad that it went down to that though.
Awful!! and what is YOUR President doing about it???, yeah thought as much
Wow. Isn't travelling fun?!
i lived in South Korea for 3 years, and wasn't treated so great by Koreans. I'm an American, and the Bush administration was so frowned upon internationally so it's a little understandable when i was often spit at and disrespected.
But none the less, since America liberated and assisted S. Korea so much from the Korean war, and the Japanese, i still deserved a little respect (i was an ESL teacher — most definitely not in the armed forces) as an American.
After this scenario, i wonder if South Koreans are finally realizing how much us Americans are needed, if only from the bizarre North Koreans — and from themselves!
I've always like Lisa Ling, she was smart enough to leave the "View"…I got to know Laura thru Current TV, love Current TV,,
this so sad,,,I hope they are released soon…
is not all that crazy, you take these sort of chances when messing with a country like n. korea. these two tried too further their careers by sneaking into a country where americans are clearly not welcome. 12 years in a labour camp may be harsh but its better than being executed. so they took a huge chance and it bit them in the ass. but hey look on the bright side there book will sell millions and the movie may also do well in about 12 years
Re: cockface –
I'm pretty sure these labour camps have been deemed comparable to the concentration camps that Jewish people were forced to work and die in during WWII…
I would rather be executed then suffer through and indefinite 12 year sentence where I will probably die anyone…that is after being raped, beaten and starved….It is likely that if they serve their full term they won't get to make a book. Laura Ling has health issues.
Yes, this is awful, but I'm having difficulty being shocked by all of this. They trespassed illegally…into North fucking Korea! They understood the ramifications of getting caught. Their laws are not our laws. When are Americans going to understand this? They shouldn't have broken THEIR laws. Period.
Why is this so awful? If you go into a foreign country then you take a risk. Obviously, this was a huge risk and these reporters knew it and did it anyway. They got what they deserved.
Re: poopdiddy2008 – Re: Frag The Paps – well, that pretty much sums UP this entire issue.
God man, I love you.
doesn't lisa get it? they aren't interested in 'amazing' diplomacy!!!
My heart goes out to these two ladies & their Families!!
The U.S. has to do Everything in it's Power to liberate these two Courageuos Female Reporters!!
Get Busy U.S.A.!!
I feel very bad for Laura and Euna and their situation, but anyone who thinks we can sit down and sing Kumbaya with terrorist nations (which is what North Korea is) is just plain misguided. Let's face it, there are certain countries around the world that we will never have a diplomatic relationship with…they want nothing more than to see this country on its knees.
Re: **LondonHockeyGurL** – #11 U SAID IS SISTER…LOL
oh my god. that is so horrible. awful.
OBAMA NEEDS TO GO DOWN THERE AND GET THEM
omg people say she deserved this, she didnt hurt, kill or rape anyone. THE PUNISHMENT DOSENT NOT FIT THE CRIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 12 FUCKIN YEARS IS CRAZY. we need a president with balls to take care of this shit i wish i can do it
This is bull shit but they were at the border filming and you don't do that with N. Korea, they don't like it.
Yes they will be used as pawns, but what politacal prisoneres aren'T used in an effort to get what one sides want from the other?
They are supposed to be reporters and knowledgable about politics and the world at large, they should have turned off the camera when they were told to.
But hope that their stupidity won't start an international turmoil, it seems the region is just looking for a reason to do something stupid and start a war in the region. Not to mention that certain political persons have a hard on for the type of shit and see this as an opportunity to press their agenda forward.
This is really bad and couold have serious reprussions for all of us. I really hope that those poor women get out of there soon .
trade Gore for the two chicks-it'll cut down on his Carbon footprint and save the planet!
I think they were very brave for doing what they did in trying to show what things are like in N. Korea. That being said, it's a brave action because of the possible consequences. They knew what they were getting in to. You don't decide to border hop into N. Korea without thinking about it first. What happened to them is awful, but they knew what would happen if they were caught. I hope they get out, but they should not have taken that risk if they weren't willing to deal with the consequences.
Re: poopdiddy2008 – perhaps you should learn how to speak a proper sentence.
Sorry to say it but these bitches are fucked!!! The last thing the US needs to do is fuck with North Korea and piss them off!! North Korea just wants an excuse to nuke us!! I say if trspassing is a serious crime in their country then they fucked fup and have to pay. It's sad but true!!
This is why North Korea deserves to be nuked. Just eliminate the problem.
If you doubt what they will go through, read the "Gulag Archipeligo". The Russians are nice compared to the Koreans.
They will use their most valuable assets many times a day and night to survive.
Thank Al Gore.
This could happen to ANYONE visiting a communist country.
I read a few of the articles and according to the camera man and the guide that barely escaped the two ladies were AT the border when they were accosted by several guard who may have drug them into N.K. Not saying that isn't true, but…it's a possibility.
I hope and pray that they get out and don't get tortured like McCain-even though they are in two different place. Both places hate Americans and could possible use them to show us there POWER and pure hatred of Us!
God Bless them and there families!
Re: Frag The Paps –
Sometimes it's just best to be silent.
That was the most ignorant thing to say.
For reals…beaners, Ling-Ling and Ting-Ting?
Please tell me your parents have passed away so they won't be embarrassed by you. I don't even know you and I am embarrassed for you.
i say they should send delta force in
You mean they did something illegal and now they are going to jail for it. Wow!
Two things. 1. All North Koreans and their unborn children should die. Right now. 2. How fucking stupid of those bitches to be so obnoxiously brazen to cross the border. Especially a mother of a young child. Selfish fuckheads.
And they'll be lucky if they don't end up like Daniel Pearl. I repeat, how fucking stupid of these women. Survival of the fittest… it never fails. And fucking SHAME on that cocksucker for leaving her 4 yr old to achieve fame.
Re: Kodes100 –
Everything in our power? You mean, go to war with NK and wind up killing thousands of innocent Americans???? That's a huge FUCK to the NO.
Re: MEMEME4 –
Amen… and let's hit the Middle East while we're at it. Both places are breeding grounds for crazy mutherfuckers.
These are 2 intelligent women. I', sure they didn't wonder into N. Korea unknowingly. There is no way to communicate with these crazy people. There have been diplomats from other countries that DO have a relationship with N. Korea that have been involved in their release. What a shame these women will be used for their political bullying.
:-(
SO HORRIBLE. I wish something can be done about this. I cringe to think what these girls are going through. This is so bad.
who??????????
so many ppl say these girls deserve it, but they don't deserve 12 years of hard labor - i believe if it were white males that got caught - lots of ppl would be on the guys side and make the US gov get involve to make sure they would get released earlier. they didn't get charged as spies - even if you illegally enter the US - they would give you a trial and release you back to your homeland if they found no evidence to prove you were a spy
While I think that's a bit harsh of a sentence, the thing I wanna know is what those two women were doing crossing the border into North Korea in the first place? All their whining and all these protests are for naught if we don't find out why they were in North Korea in the first place.
i heard it was 2 yrs not 12
Re: ShoeGal* – kinda scary are u even allowed to comment?
Re: Gozimus – maybe they didnt treat you so great because they didnt like you not cause youre an American
and why do you deserve respect just cause youre American?!?! you didnt do anything
Re: rampage – exactly