A Statement From the Freed Journalists’ Families
August 4, 2009
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.
—The Lee and Ling Families
Clinton Leaves Pyongyang With American Journalists; Headed to L.A. for Family Reunion
August 4, 2009
PYONGYANG, DPRK—Former President Bill Clinton’s spokesman Matt McKenna verified Tuesday evening that Clinton “has safely left North Korea with Laura Ling and Euna Lee” and was “en route to Los Angeles where Laura and Euna will be reunited with their families,” ABC News is reporting.
Sources told ABC News that Clinton’s trip, while a surprise to some, was planned weeks ago and that it was former Vice President Al Gore who asked Clinton to go. Clinton was accompanied by his former chief of staff, John Podesta, who officials said was also involved in the planning.
- Read the latest ABC News dispatch from correspondent Martha Raddatz and Joohee Cho here.
- North Korean Media Confirms Clinton Departure, Yonhap News Agency
- Clinton Discussed `Issues of Interest’ With Kim Jong-il, Korea Times
Breaking: Euna Lee, Laura Ling Pardoned by NKorea, CNN
August 4, 2009
CNN is reporting that word out of Pyongyang is that American reporters Euna Lee and Laura Ling, captured on the China-North Korea border back on March 17 have been pardoned by Kim Jong-il following exhaustive negotiations between the North Korean leader and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Developing.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported the unmarked plane carrying the former president landed Tuesday, Aug. 4 at approximately 6:48 a.m. Korean time or Aug. 3, 7:48 p.m. PST.
