Clinton secures release of journalists

   Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Former President Bill Clinton has secured the release of two American journalists held by North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has pardoned and ordered the release of the two journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling. The journalists had been sentenced to 12 years hard labor after being convicted of entering North Korea illegally.

Lee and Ling, the pair of journalists, work for Al Gore's Current TV. They were arrested while reporting on both refugees fleeing the impoverished North and the ugly business of human trafficking.

Clinton made a surprise visit to North Korea in hopes of securing the journalists release. After meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Kim agreed to grant a "special pardon". According to reports, the pardon came after Mr Clinton "expressed words of sincere apology" for the behavior of the journalists.

This is a victory for human rights, and a victory for the two journalists who were looking at 12 years hard labor in a North Korean prison camp. It is also a victory for Bill Clinton, a diplomatic and humanitarian coup, demonstrating an unrivaled gravitas on the world stage.

The losers are the North Koreans. Millions suffer and starve while an old lunatic clings to power.