Photo released by North Korean official news agency KCNA shows former US president Bill Clinton (L, seated) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Il (R, seated) posing for a picture in Pyongyang on August 4, 2009. Kim Jong-Il met Clinton here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Korean Central News Agency)North Korea: 2 U.S. Journalists Pardoned -- Yahoo News/AP
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has issued a "special pardon" to two American journalists convicted of sneaking into the country illegally, and he ordered them released during a visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, North Korean media reported Tuesday.
The release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee was a sign of North Korea's "humanitarian and peaceloving policy," the Korean Central News Agency reported.
Read more ....
More News On Former President Clinton's Trip To North Korea
North Korea frees two U.S. journalists after Clinton visit -- Yahoo News/Reuters
NKorea to pardon reporters after Clinton apology -- Yahoo News/AFP
Clinton meets NKorea's Kim: state media -- AFP
Clinton 'Meets Jailed Reporters In N Korea' -- SKY News
White House denies Obama message to Kim Jong-il -- AFP
DPRK TV reports Kim Jong Il, Bill Clinton meeting, photos released -- China View
Podesta joins Bill Clinton in N. Korea -- Politico
Clinton's Unwise Trip to North Korea -- Washington Post
My Comment: As I had mentioned in a post this morning .... when I learned that South Korea was resuming aid to North Korea at the same time that Bill Clinton was on his way to North Korea .... you knew that a deal was done and/or about to be done.
All that was needed to seal the deal was having an ex-President show up, grovel (former President Clinton actually apologized), show respect and deference to the North Korean dictator .... and then the hostages will be released.
What will be missing in the positive media coverage that we are now going to be inundated with for the remainder of today is the answer to the question .... at what cost. I can guarantee you that no one is going to raise that question .... though I suspect the cost will be something that a lot of people will find hard to accept.
Another thing .... where is Hillary Clinton?