6.29.2009

swedish ambassador visits laura ling and euna lee

Last week, the Swedish ambassador met with Laura Ling and Euna Lee, the two American journalists who have been imprisoned in North Korea since March: Ambassador visits jailed U.S. journalists in North Korea.

It was their first meeting since a North Korean court sentenced the reporters to twelve years of "reform through labor" for their alleged crimes of illegally crossing into the country and unspecified "hostile acts."

Unfortunately, there aren't too many details about what transpired between the ambassador and Euna and Laura. The Swedish ambassador represents U.S. interests in the country because the United States doesn't have diplomatic relations with North Korea.

Meanwhile, there was another vigil on behalf of Euna and Laura held in San Francisco: Husbands of jailed reporters speak at SF vigil. Their husbands said that they had received phone calls from them earlier in the week, and that Laura and Euna sounded scared.

Iain Clayton, the husband of Laura Ling, said her medical condition has deteriorated and Lee has developed a medical problem. Ling reportedly suffers from an ulcer. This is extremely disheartening, troubling news. Let's continue to pray for their safe release and return.

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