Laura Ling and Euna Lee Pardoned - arrived in Burbank, CA 5:50 am 
Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been pardoned. They have departed North Korea with President Clinton and have arrived in Burbank.. They have touched down this morning at Burbank (Aug 5th) 5:50 AM PDT. They disembarked the aircraft in a Hanger at 7:15 am. Bill Clinton came off the aircraft at 7:18 am and was greeted by Al Gore, the operator of Current TV.
Bill Clinton met earlier today with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Ill to secure their release. President Clinton also met with Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
The meeting and subsequent release is a major feat for Bill Clinton. Not only was he able to secure the release of the two journalists, but he was also able to do an assessment of Kim Jong Ill's physical health.
This was an appropriate birthday gift for President Obama.
North Korea Says 2 Jailed American Journalists Have Been Pardoned
The two American journalists jailed in North Korea have been pardoned and are expected to return home with former President Bill Clinton.
Clinton made a surprise visit to North Korea Tuesday morning on a mission to win the release of the two Americans.
His private plane is still on the ground, sources told FOX News.
The pardon comes after Clinton met with leader Kim Jong Il as well as Laura Ling and Euna Lee -- the reporters sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labor after North Korea accused them of sneaking into the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts."
CNN reports how Bill Clinton handled the situation by expressing sincere apologies for the hostile acts committed by the journalists. He then courteously conveyed to Kim Jong Il an earnest request of the U.S. government to pardon them and send them home.
The families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee are overjoyed by the news of their pardon. We are so grateful to our government: President Obama, Secretary Clinton and the U.S. State Department for their dedication to and hard work on behalf of American citizens.
We especially want to thank President Bill Clinton for taking on such an arduous mission and Vice President Al Gore for his tireless efforts to bring Laura and Euna home. We must also thank all the people who have supported our families through this ordeal, it has meant the world to us. We are counting the seconds to hold Laura and Euna in our arms.
"Clinton expressed words of sincere apology to Kim Jong Il for the hostile acts committed by the two American journalists against the DPRK after illegally intruding into it," the news agency reported. "Clinton courteously conveyed to Kim Jong Il an earnest request of the U.S. government to leniently pardon them and send them back home from a humanitarian point of view.
"The meetings had candid and in-depth discussions on the pending issues between the DPRK and the U.S. in a sincere atmosphere and reached a consensus of views on seeking a negotiated settlement of them."
Bill Clinton with the two journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, aboard, has left North Korea safely and are now heading to Los Angeles, where the journalists will be reunited with their families.
WASHINGTON — Bill Clinton's spokesman says the former president has left North Korea with two American journalists who had been held hostage.
Matt McKenna said late Tuesday that Clinton has "safely left North Korea with Laura Ling and Euna Lee." He said they're flying to Los Angeles, where the journalists will be reunited with their families.
The White House is not commenting the trip.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (52)
at 11:34 on August 4th, 2009
The golden boy does it again
sometimes I think the ex-presedents can get more done that a current one (less politics involved)
at 11:37 on August 4th, 2009
Clinton had 8 years in office and made a lot of friends. Being in the same room with the North Korean leader and looking in someone's eyes is always better than being the peanut gallery from the distance:)
at 11:44 on August 4th, 2009
It's good to see that the journalists have been released. It's hard not wonder, however, why Bll Clinton went over to North Korea rather than Al Gore, considering that Ling and Lee were working for Gore's Current network.
at 11:49 on August 4th, 2009
Good question Jon, probably because Bill Clinton has more credibility in North Korea. Some of this, I'm sure, involved China and Bill Clinton was the right man for the job. Kudos to Bill. I always say never discount the Clintons. Well done.
at 11:44 on August 4th, 2009
Wow, they are lucky
at 11:49 on August 4th, 2009
That they are Amy:)
at 11:50 on August 4th, 2009
Thanks for posting the story, Albertacowpoke.
Additional information to the story:
Source: edition.cnn.com
at 11:59 on August 4th, 2009
Thank you very much for this Pythiian. Much appreciated.
at 12:07 on August 4th, 2009
Great news. And to think that so many people were cynical about Clinton's visit. Look what he achieved in one day...
at 12:11 on August 4th, 2009
It took courage to go to North Korea and meet Kim Jong Il and humble yourself to get this release. What a birthday gift for President Obama.
at 12:19 on August 4th, 2009
I have always had a lot of admiration for Clinton. And he has proven once again that he is an excellent ambassador and peace broker.
at 12:22 on August 4th, 2009
He certainly possesses a rare talent.
at 12:17 on August 4th, 2009
What..... no bombs?
at 12:18 on August 4th, 2009
I know! Dialogue, above all things! Who would have thunk it!
at 12:23 on August 4th, 2009
Sticks and stones don't always work.
at 12:27 on August 4th, 2009
Way to go Billy!!
at 12:41 on August 4th, 2009
Great news, he's one smooth operator!
Here's the statement from the families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee:
at 13:21 on August 4th, 2009
Thank you very much for this Blue Crush.
at 13:24 on August 4th, 2009
Awesome news.
at 13:27 on August 4th, 2009
It is indeed:)
at 13:38 on August 4th, 2009
WOW! Mr. Bill scored big this time! Good story!
at 13:48 on August 4th, 2009
He did indeed:)
at 14:26 on August 4th, 2009
A coup for Bill for sure, hopefully though it will deter others from sneaking into North Korea or any other country, cause one day dictators may not be so kind.
at 14:31 on August 4th, 2009
Yes I agree. All is well that ends well, but it could have ended up a lot worse.
at 14:32 on August 4th, 2009
Good point Barry
at 15:00 on August 4th, 2009
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=8592
Perhaps Clinton had an alternative motive for going to Korea, perhaps a double date with Kim.
If you like this link go to my buddys web page, his name is Danny Cho,who some may remember from his time on MAD TV. If you leave him a comment, tell him I really really promise to give him that interview for NP.
http://www.dannycho.com
at 15:05 on August 4th, 2009
http://www.dannycho.com/multimedia.php Oh yeah, here is the best Videos of Danny, with prenty of Kim
at 15:04 on August 4th, 2009
ha love that video
at 15:08 on August 4th, 2009
I knew you would, his webpage has a lot of videos from his Mad TV days, now to find someone who impersonate Clinton, and a new video would be in the making
at 15:11 on August 4th, 2009
Here is a couple of new videos with Danny as Kim Jung Dance Party
http://www.angryasianman.com/2009/02/new-kim-jong-il-videos-with-danny-cho.html