Lisa Ling’s Sister and Fellow Journalist Sentenced To 12 Years in North Korean Hard Labor Camp

Former View Co-Host Lisa Ling’s younger sister, journalist Laura Ling, and fellow journalist Euna Lee, were convicting by defiant North Korea (more like railroaded) to 12 years of hard labor, the country’s state news agency reported Monday. Seemingly pushing the boundaries of how far it was willing to take its confrontation with the United States, the isolated little Communist country tried American TV reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee for an unspecified “grave crime” against the nation, and of illegally crossing into North Korea.  The two reporters were originally detained on March 17th. Since that time, Ling’s family has worked vigilantly, in private and in public, to urge the immediate release of both women, as Lisa’s sister suffers from a severe ulcer and Euna is the mother of a 4-year-old daughter.

Lisa says: “We would champion the opportunity to have these girls be the catalyst for diplomacy. I think it could be really amazing. The problem right now is that our two countries don’t have a diplomatic relationship and so communication has been really limited. We are trying to encourage our two countries to come together and if this is the reason why they do, then we’ll take it.”

Because their 5-day trial was before the nation’s highest court, no appeal is possible. Ling and Lee had been working in China for former Vice President Al Gore’s Current TV and were reporting on the international trafficking of women. Many speculate that the pair may have actually been abducted and taken across the border and tried as leverage in negotiations with both the U.S. and the United Nations. Washington recently warned that it might try to return North Korea to its list of states that sponsor terrorism, a designation that could subject the impoverished state to more financial sanctions. It seems to be a well earned designation. We pray for the speedy and safe return of Laura and Euna!

Photo: Lisa Ling and family holding candlelight vigil