BoatBanter.com - President Bill helps get two journalists released from N. Korea

North Korea: 2 US journalists pardoned

By JEAN H. LEE (AP) – 43 minutes ago

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a "special
pardon" for two American journalists and ordered their release at former
U.S. President Bill Clinton's request, North Korean media reported
Wednesday.

The move to release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, sentenced in June to 12
years of hard labor, reflected North Korea's "humanitarian and
peaceloving policy," the Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch
from Pyongyang early Wednesday.

Clinton landed in the North Korean capital on Tuesday on a quiet mission
to negotiate the freedom of the two women working for former Vice
President Al Gore's Current TV media venture. During his visit, he held
rare talks with Kim — the reclusive North Korean leader's first meeting
with a prominent Western figure since reportedly suffering a stroke a
year ago.

The KNCA report said Clinton visit was ending Wednesday but left unclear
if he had yet left.

Lee, 36, and Ling, 32, were arrested in March after crossing into North
Korea from China, where they had been reporting on North Korean
defectors. They were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for illegal
entry and engaging in "hostile acts."

Washington had pushed for their release, with Clinton's wife, Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, requesting they be granted amnesty.

State media said Clinton apologized on behalf of the women and relayed
President Barack Obama's gratitude. The report said the visit would
"contribute to deepening the understanding" between North Korea and the U.S.

Earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs denied Clinton went with a
message from Obama.

The two nations fought against one another during the 1950-53 Korean
War, and do not have diplomatic relations.

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What's Dubya doing these days, besides popping beer can tops?