Comments on: Two US Journalists Sentenced To 12 Years Hard Labor In North Korea

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Kim Jong Il IS an animal. They torture and starve people whose RELATIVES don’t agree with his policies. Just because they are RELATED to them. How the hell could you justify that in any way shape or form?

By: kk

kk — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:56:12 +0000

sounds about time for a private op a la Mersk Alabama

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:35:33 +0000

I get where incubi and amy’s coming from. They’re just being diplomatic in their comment. Hopefully people will see where they’re coming from, rather than immediately, ignorantly assume she’s rooting for NK and their shameful actions. My guess is, probably not.

My thing how ever is.. as a South Korean, I HATE how we get grouped in with North Korea sometimes. I also hate when people, in reponse to my being Korean, and when I specify that I’m from the South, the question is: ‘is that the normal one or the crazy one?’, and their faces always change from a cautious, suspicious one to a relaxed one when I (dryly) reply ‘the normal one’. I mean, sure I’m not fan of the North’s actions, policies etc either, but at least get your international knowledge right.

And I guess what prompted me to comment is that even in this entry, Trent had said “…perhaps one of the Asian governments (China, Japan) in the area…” as if South Korea isn’t a separate Asian government on its own from the strict, somewhat unrealistic North Korea. That we just get lumped together. And I’m SURE someone’s bound to jump up here and say ‘wth, you’re just nitpicking!!’ and I’m 99.99999% sure Trent didn’t mean anything by it when he wrote it: but that’s my point. I sometimes feel like SK automatically, unconsciously gets grouped in as a ‘baddy’ just because 1. NK is ‘evil’ and shares the second half of the name, and historically the entire nation, with us, and 2. people’s ignorance. And you may think I’m nitpicking, but hey, Ally’s comment up there is another example – she’s worried about her brother’s well-being because he’s in South Korea. You may say it’s because they’re joined together, but – and It’s only an assumption, but – I bet if he was in China, which is also joined to NK, she probably wouldn’t have said that or been so worried. I just think it’s ignorant of people to make such a big deal out of political situations, happenings about certain situations without having any basic knowledge to start with.

You may think I’m nitpicking, but from my side of things, as a Korean from the SOUTH, I’m just a bit tired of non-Koreans, often Europeans, who crack jokes about how I’m gonna blow them up with my nuclear bombs if people piss me off, just because my ethnicity happens to be Korean. Am I being too sensitive? Maybe. But the first couple of times, I didn’t mind dryly laughing it off. But when people keep bringing that sh.t up just to ‘jokingly’ rile me up? The humour starts to wear thin after a while.

By: Razz

Razz — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:11:58 +0000

that’s lisa ling’s sister. i’m pretty sure lisa ling’s NCG program inside North Korea had something to do with the prison sentence, she portrayed NK as a very mind-controlled, fear ladened country.

that doesn’t bode well, i suppose.

By: amy

amy — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:15:04 +0000

I’m going to post something that I know people won’t be happy about… but hear it goes:

While I completely disagree with NK’s ruling and think their government is absolutely corrupt and despicable, I think it was also irresponsible for the two journalists to cross the border (or even go near the border without knowing the exact borderlines). Would NK have tested their nuclear weapons if they didn’t capture these two? Maybe. Maybe not. At the end of the day, even if my career is more important than my life, I wouldn’t jeopardize my country’s – and even the world’s – diplomacy and safety by venturing out to the border like that.

By: tatiana

tatiana — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:22:53 +0000

God this is so horrible. Everyone pray for these women and their safe return. :(

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:51:03 +0000

I agree with the sentiment that if you are in another countries land you have to play by their rules. But this is hardly the case. They did not go into North Korea and start a murder spree or encourage riots or anything bad. The article even says they don’t know if they actually wandered over. Most countries will kick people out if they don’t want you there. They deport you, not stick you into a labor camp. Who knows what conditions they will have and how long they will live. If they did do something wrong N Korea should be open with the United States and not have made their trial so secretive.

By: incubi

incubi — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:05:35 +0000

Trent, no matter what the sentence is in the US, don’t forget they are on foreign soil. and if you’re a guest in someones house, you need to play by their rules. Not saying that the NK goverment or ruling is just, but especially seeying these ladies were there professionally they ought to know the rules of the game. i could understand if there were naive toerist getting lost or what not.. but by going there on report, snooping around in a communist closed regime, you know the risks involved by putting yourself on the line. just because they have cute little faces and/or are american doesn’t mean they don’t have to respect the law. used for political gain or not.
i wonder how many people calling NK ridiculous, ‘animals’ (really?), etc are crying the loudest about closing your own borders for illegal crossing immigrants? or how about the people in gitmo, posing as a security treat to the US? is that not the same or worse? and wasn’t the punishment in the US for espionage capital punishment of life in prison not so long ago? (or stil, maybe?). excuse the spelling.

By: the mole

the mole — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:42:30 +0000

@Ally – There’s no need to worry about your brother. South Korea is a safe country, probably even safer than the States.

@Tracy – Do you mean that the president of North Korea and his army are disgusting? I hope you’re not claiming that every single North Korean is “disgusting”.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:30:20 +0000

North Korea is fucking disgusting. They are animals.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:24:52 +0000

I think Chase is entirely correct. North Korea is making a statement to the US concerning the launch of the North Korean missiles in May. 12 years, is what, the highest penalty in North Korean courts? It’s ludicrous to believe that they were judged only on their purported “crime” and their US citizenship had nothing to do with it at this time when relations are so strained. Hopefully as this article indicates negotiations can take place and we can get those women out of there.

By: Jami

Jami — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:12:19 +0000

Laura Ling has to be one of my favorite journalists from the usual Current Vanguard podcasts. If I’m not mistaken, a special on the labor camps in North Korea has already been broadcasted in the past. 12 years is extensive- it’s not like they were smuggling substances into or from the nation. There must be an intervention of some sort.

By: CHASE

CHASE — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:58:22 +0000

The only reason why they got 12 years sentencing is, in fact, because they’re U.S. citizens. That’s the only reason why. I believe North Korea is making this a bigger issue than it is because of bias opinions and political power. They didn’t like how the U.S. were being “nosy” about all their missal bull crap… it isn’t justice, only a statement.

By: Ally

Ally — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:56:24 +0000

Joseph — That’s crazy. Unless you are a suspected terrorist, the US will be putting you on the first plane (or bus) back to your country of origine.

My brother is in South Korea for work right now and I just really want him home… I know it isn’t the same between the two countries, but it is just too close for my comfort.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:03:29 +0000

They should of just been deported NK knew this would get the West angry and no doubt will be launching a propaganda campaign against the US using these two women.

By: Meream

Meream — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:58:11 +0000

How horrible! I pray that these women are released.

By: Karly

Karly — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:47:17 +0000

If they escaped N. Korea would they have to be brought back to do their time or couldn’t they just like not?

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:34:03 +0000

Infuriating!!!

By: It's Trent, Bitch!

It's Trent, Bitch! — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:14:23 +0000

@Joseph — I think the US deports anyone who illegally crosses their borders. It is utterly ridiculous to contend that 12 years in a prison camp is suitable punishment for this crime … which was tried in complete secrecy. Kangaroo Court if I ever heard of one.

By: Cara

Cara — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:13:55 +0000

Thanks for blogging about this. Here’s a link to information for those that want to do more: http://freeroxana.net/?p=609

By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:03:43 +0000

How do you think the US would have reacted if two North Koreans snuck across the border into US soil? Bottom line is that they broke NK law and are being tried under their rules. We, US, can’t get immunity from all other countries law just cause we feel like it. This sucks and is a tragedy, but those women are subject to their laws.

By: Kendra

Kendra — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:53:21 +0000

@Maya – 12 years in a labor camp for supposedly crossing the border?? You think that’s the right punishment? Personally, I think it’s total bullshizz..I feel so sick just thinking about what these girls must be going through..

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:48:03 +0000

@Maya L. you’re full of it. you weren’t born there. I’m calling your bluff.

By: Maya L.

Maya L. — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:27:54 +0000

I lived in North Korea for 15 years (born there). The country is different from the US but peaceful and wonderful, not the barbaric place the US media paints it as. If you don’t want to suffer another country’s punishment, don’t break another country’s laws.

By: jjj

jjj — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:22:56 +0000

The sad thing is that things like this happen everyday without even half as much publicity. These girls are lucky since their case is getting noticed.