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The families of Laura and Euna at Santa Monica Vigil
photo by Natasha Bishop
Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are returning home to Los Angeles after being detained in North Korea for nearly five months. The plight of the two journalists began on March 17th 2009 when they were detained by soldiers near North Korea’s border with China. Laura and Euna were reporting for Al Gore's venture, Current TV, researching an important story of human trafficking along the border, women and children used in the sex trade. After a harrowing ordeal, former US President Bill Clinton embarked on a private mission to negotiate the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Analyst are foaming at the mouth at the implications this may have on future dealings with North Korea.
What did North Korea really gain?
North Korea saved face and got exactly what they wanted; publicity and a seemingly humanitarian gesture they think may show the world they are not what the US portrays them to be. The world knows the truth about North Korea and their antics. The only thing North Korea will get out of this is internal propaganda they can use to further repress their people. Why is this important to them? With Kim Jong Il's ailing health he needs a way to set up one of his sons as his successor. A meeting with a former U.S. president is a good start. Kim Jon Il may be vicious, but he's not a dummy, he's a very cunning dictator.
The North Korean regime will not give up their nukes as long as they fear their existence in the world community. This was a well calculated PR campaign to outlast the United States in a quick release of Laura and Euna. There is not much that can be done to force the North Koreans to give up their nukes except to make a more peaceful framework to open talks. As an optimist, I hope this can open a door to begin that process.
This story is far from over, and I'll be paying close attention to the details as they start to come out. For now, we won, our girls are coming home. Bill Clinton did the right thing and we should thank him.
Follow me on twitter: @lajournalist
More information: Liberate Laura & Euna
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