World

Bill Clinton Headed to North Korea

by Blue Crush | August 3, 2009 at 06:38 pm

360 views | 41 Recommendations | 7 comments

UPDATE:

Clinton landed in Pyongyang in an unmarked jet Tuesday and was greeted at the airport by North Korean officials, including chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye Gwan and vice parliamentary speaker Yang Hyong Sop, footage from APTN Pyongyang showed. He smiled and bowed as a young girl presented him with flowers.

Kim Yong-hyun, a professor at Seoul's Dongguk University, said Clinton's visit could serve two purposes: securing the women's release and improving ties between Washington and Pyongyang.

"I think it's not just about journalists. It will serve as a turning point in the U.S.-North Korea relations," he said.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency confirmed Clinton's visit with a brief dispatch. The report did not say who Clinton would be meeting.

Former President Bill Clinton is on his way to North Korea tonight, to try to negotiate the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor back in June, after illegally crossing their border earlier this year.

"As soon as he arrives, he will be entering negotiations with the North for the release of the female journalists," the source was quoted as saying.

South Korean Foreign Ministry officials declined to comment, saying any announcement would come from Washington or Pyongyang.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, has urged Pyongyang to grant them amnesty.

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J2B (not verified)

at 21:51 on August 3rd, 2009

This would be a good move but it would have been better had Al Gore gone since he owns Current News which both these journalists/reporters work for.

It's most likely that were not transfered to a labor camp but are being kept in Pyongyang?

eastvanray

at 22:35 on August 3rd, 2009

Wow! Clinton must really like North Korean girls! That is a long way to go for some strange.

Uwe Paschen

at 23:06 on August 3rd, 2009

I agree with J2B his comment.

Pythiian1

at 04:50 on August 4th, 2009

Thank you, Blue Crush, for this story.

It was the Ling-Lee's families that asked for the former president's help.
He is the highest level civilian as a former US President to intervene on behalf of the two journalists.

Pythiian1

at 05:54 on August 4th, 2009

Some updates:

The English-language Web site of the official North Korean Central News Agency offers clues that the regime might be expect to discuss both issues. On the KCNA site on Tuesday morning, just beside the blaring headline (written in all capital letters, in extra large italic type), “BILL CLINTON ARRIVES HERE,” there is a special box with collections of reports on two subjects: “Nuclear Test; Trial of American Journalists.”

158

at 18:50 on August 4th, 2009

good report

James09

at 02:21 on August 10th, 2009

Normal 0

The two Journalist, Euna Lee and Laura Ling had safely return to their home with the help of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton had a negotiation with the North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il to release the 2 journalist who imprisoned there. Apparently, giving Chris Wallace on Fixed News a hiding wasn't enough when it comes to Bill Clinton proving his Presidential mettle, and didn't even need payday loans no faxing to get the job done.