By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

 

North Korea – After weeks of no news, the sister of one of the American journalists imprisoned in North Korea finally received word. Lisa Ling, a CNN contributor, said, “It was only the first time I had heard her voice in weeks… I was so relieved but I feel so helpless…It’s just difficult to know I cannot do anything to bring her home.”

Lisa Ling’s sister, Laura Ling, and Euna Lee, both journalists, were sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of illegally entering the country to conduct a smear campaign. “I know that our government has been working behind the scenes very hard trying to bring the girls back home… but our countries don’t talk, and perhaps this could be a reason,” said Lisa Ling, hoping the recent arrest will encourage dialogue between the US and North Korea.

Ling said that without being able to look at her sister, it was difficult to discern her state. She said her sister was “very specific about the message that she was communicating, and she said, ‘Look, we violated North Korean law and we need our government to help us. We are sorry about everything that has happened, but we need diplomacy.’”

Both, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, former reporters for California-based Current TV, were arrested while reporting on the border between North Korea and China. North Korea’s state media released a report last month explaining how the two American journalists had illegally entered the country to record material for a “smear campaign” against the North Korean government. Ever since, the US has intervened trying to secure the release of the two journalists on humanitarian grounds.

A former North Korean prisoner, Kang Chol-Hwan, is also speaking out about the condition of North Korea’s “concentration camps.” Chol-Hwan has painted a bleak picture of chaos and violence in the camps and is hoping the American journalists obtain a speedy release. Chol-Hwan was sent to the camp because North Korea’s former leader, Kim Il Sung, thought Chol-Hwan’s grandfather was a traitor.

Chol-Hwan, now a journalist, is speaking out in part to expedite Laura Ling and Euna Lee’s freedom. Although he did add that he is convinced that the North Korea’s communist regime is treating both women well.

 

 

CBS – Lisa Ling Pushes for Sister’s Release – July 8, 2009

CNN – Sister Hears from Journalist Trapped in N. Korea – July 8, 2009

VOA News – Former North Korean Prisoner Speaks Out – July 8, 2009