EPICANTHUS

SEOUL, So. Korea (Updated 06/05/09, 6:00 PST)—With nothing but an eerie silence emanating from the North Korean capital about the yesterday’s trial of jailed American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, a week-old rumor that the US would send a special envoy to Pyongyang to negotiate the release of the two reporters has begun to sprout wings again.

Reuters news agency has picked up a story by South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo which quotes diplomatic sources as saying former Vice President Al Gore may visit Pyongyang as early as this weekend in an effort to secure the release of the two journalists once a widely expected guilty verdict has been delivered.

Clinton said Friday she was “incredibly concerned” about the plight of the two women. In working for their release, Clinton said she has spoken with foreign officials with influence in North Korea and explored the possibility of sending an envoy to the North, but suggested that no one would be sent during the trial, Reuters reported.

“The trial which is going on right now we consider to be a step toward the release and the return home of these two young women,” she told reporters in Washington.

Lee and Ling were working on a story about the plight of women who flee North Korea into China for Gore’s Current TV network. They have been in custody since March 17 and reportedly appeared before North Korea’s Central Court Thursday to face charges of illegally entering the country and committing hostile acts.

Richardson served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and was energy secretary during the Clinton administration, and he has maintained contacts with North Korea. He took several trips there as ambassador, and he worked for the release of people held by the North Koreans in the past.

Although Richardson has publicly expressed a willingness to negotiate for the women’s release, Gore has not made any public comments about the situation. Current TV has also steadfastly refused comment since the arrest of Lee and Ling.