Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
North Korea Wanted Bill Clinton To Retrieve Journalists
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 6, 2009
Modified Aug 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 6, 2009
Modified Aug 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, the country witnessed the dramatic reunion between formerly imprisoned journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling and their families, a reunion orchestrated by former President Bill Clinton, his former Vice President Al Gore, and the White House. Though the White House was working to secure the release of Lee and Ling, Current TV journalists who were sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp by North Korea for illegally entering the country, and had considered envoys like Gore, Bill Richardson, and Senator John Kerry, it turned out that North Korea requested former president Clinton. Lee and Ling, who were being held in a guest house, both told their families in phone calls that North Korea would consider amnesty if "an envoy in the person of President Clinton would agree to come to Pyongyang and seek their release."
Gore, who founded Current TV, relayed the message to Clinton. CNN reports, "During the weekend of July 24-25, Clinton spoke with National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones about his willingness to take on this mission. Clinton ultimately agreed to go on the mission but made it very clear in every communication that this was purely a humanitarian effort." Clinton never spoke to President Obama directly before the trip and Clinton's wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pointed out, "I want to be sure people don't confuse what Bill did, which was a private humanitarian mission to bring these young women home, with our policy, which continues to be one that gives choices to North Korea. Our policy remains the same."
Of course, Clinton's visit to North Korea, which gave the isolated country a chance to crow about its "humanitarian and peace-loving policy," has raised some questions. A Washington Post editorial states that while it's wonderful Lee and Ling are back, "the administration paid political ransom, both by acceding to Mr. Kim's demand for an American envoy of the former president's stature and by accepting a 'pardon' for the journalists rather than unconditional release." However, the NY Times editorial board finds, "Bill Clinton’s trip will have been well worth the effort if it laid the groundwork for truly productive talks on North Korea’s nuclear programs. Now it is up to President Obama to make it clear to Pyongyang that it is no longer good enough to make easily broken promises." And here's the Daily Show on the Fox News spin:
There's also the full Daily Show segment on the Big Dog's rescue of Lee and Ling after the jump. The Washington Post also has an article about how Clinton's connections played a part in the release, from Dow Chemical providing the plane to fly Clinton from NY to LA and how billionaire Steve Bing's 737 was the plane that went to North Korea. And the Times has an article on Clinton and Gore's appearance together yesterday and a look at their rocky recent history.
Tagged
amnesty
bill clinton
Euna Lee
kim jong-il
Laura Ling
north korea
pardon
rescue
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .