Freed journalists arrive at Burbank airport

Former President Clinton and the two California journalists whose freedom from a North Korean prison he helped secure arrived early this morning at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, where they were greeted by dozens of family and friends.

Their private plane landed about 6 a.m. and immediately taxied to a heavily secured hangar to meet the waiting crowd, which included former Vice President Al Gore and reporters and photographers.

Journalists Laura Ling, 32, and Euna Lee, 36, were greeted by kisses and hugs from sobbing family members, who had not seen them in four months. An emotional Laura Ling expressed her thanks for all those who helped in gaining their freedom.

"We could feel your love all the way in North Korea," Ling said. "It is what sustained us in our darkest hours. We are very grateful we were granted amnesty by the government of North Korea."

As they walked off the plane, Ling pumped both fists in the air. She was embraced by her sister, mother and husband, followed by other family members. Gore arrived with both families. After several moments of hugs among relatives amid the constant clicks of cameras, Clinton emerged from the airplane to applause.

After a few minutes, Ling walked to the microphone with the rest of the group behind her, holding a folded piece of paper from which she read: "Thirty hours ago Euna Lee and I were prisoners in North Korea. We feared that at any moment we could be sent to a hard labor camp.

"And then suddenly we were told that we were going to a meeting; we were taken to a location and when we walked through the door we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton. We were shocked but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end. And now we stand here home and free."

After Ling spoke, Gore walked to the microphone and welcomed the pair home. During the 140 days the two women were imprisoned in North Korea, Current TV officials refused to talk about them.

Gore thanked everyone involved in getting the pair released and said President Obama and his staff "have been deeply involved in this humanitarian effort.... They have really put their hearts in this."

"This has been an ordeal for them but I want you all to know your families have been unbelievable, unbelievable, passionate, involved, committed, innovative," he said, turning toward the group of family members in casual wear and diplomats in dark suits.

During most of the news conference, Lee's 4-year-old daughter, Hana, stayed in her mother's arms, her hand resting on Lee's back or clutched behind Lee's neck.

"But Euna, Hana's been a great girl while you were gone, and Laura, your mom's been making your special soup for two days now," Gore said.

Security was tight at the early morning event, with police officers and U.S. Secret Service agents scattered throughout the hangar.

Ling, 32, and Lee, 36, were arrested March 17 near the North Korean border with China while reporting on fleeing refugees. They were on assignment for San Francisco-based Current TV, a cable and satellite channel co-founded by Gore.

In June, the women were convicted and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for illegally entering the country and “hostile acts.” On Tuesday, Clinton, the husband of Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton, arrived in North Korea to negotiate their release.

-- Raja Abdulrahim

Photo: (Top) Former Vice President Al Gore hugs journalist Laura Ling at the Burbank airport after she, Euna Lee (third from right) and former President Clinton returned from North Korea. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times (Middle and Bottom) Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Click here for more photos.

Comments

[la guera (minus umlaut)]

HURRAY!!

[Capt. AL]

Lesson learned? Next time it could be worse! Lucky they didn't get there heads chopped off for being nosey!

[john]

Will Al Gore pay for this recovery effort?

[Morningside]

This is a very fortunate happy ending to an extremely risky and unwise venture which should never have been started, and which has turned into a sensation feeding upon itself. Kim in North Korea is basking in worldwide publicity. Food for thought when it becomes more apparent that North Korea has now a startling opportunity to show that the United States has been used for "face" purposes.

[Stephen]

I am grateful that these women are now back in the greatest country on earth. I have been praying for them since March. Let us not forget, however, the South Korean fishermen, the South Korean resort worker, and the plethora of Japanese citizens the North Koreans have kidnapped, along with its own citizens to include just last week the torture and killing of a North Korean woman for handing out Bibles.

Welcome back ladies!!

[Susan Werner]

Now let's focus on the rest of the people stuck behind in the hard labor camps. They all matter. Let's shine some light on these people, and help them too.

[PAUL ESPINOZA]

Capt. AL, if it had been you, would you have given a hoot WHO paid!!! America pays for liberty as we have done since the Pilgrims arrived so long ago.

Is the "captain" moniker you use reflect what you served for or are you presumptuous in claiming something to which you are not entitled.

[Maria]

I can't believe the negative comments above! Two Americans are safe on American soil after the prospect of serving 12 years of hard labor for simply reporting. If all Kim Jong got in this deal is "face time", I say it was all worth it!

[AL]

Bill Clinton stepping up and Obama administration allowing this is great. Never would have happened under previous administration. Talk about diplomacy.

[Carmen Herrera]

Thank God and Presidents Clinton and Al Gore!
I'm SO happy for them Euna and Laura are very lucky!!
And all for the sake of Television and our entertainment!

[P.J.ANDROS]

I'M A LITTLE LESS IMPRESSED THAN THE MEDIA AND GULLIBLE PUBLIC BY THE MISCHEVIOUS BEHAVIOR OF MS LING AND MS LEE. GETTING THE STORY IS ONE THING, ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO A SOVEREIGN NATION (EVEN THE LIKES OF NORTH KOREA) IS SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN. AND, PLEASE, DON'T TELL ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING OR WHERE THEY WHERE. YES, I THINK EACH ADVENTURESS SHOULD'VE DONE TIME. THE ACTIONS OF THE CLINTONS AND GORES WAS PREDICTABLE ENOUGH. LISA LING WAS LUCKY, INDEED, TO HAVE SUCH WELL CONNECTED FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON. FRIENDS WITH LOTS OF TIME ON THEIR HANDS AND LOTS OF MONEY.

[Lisa M. Schmelz]

Euna and Laura:
Thank you for your courage and for daring to bring us stories that matter --- no matter the price. I'm so happy you're both home.

[OCbased]

Clearly Al Gore sucked in the moment and made this a PR stint for himself. Al Gore is a fake, shame on him for making this into a PR moment for himself- getting in front of microphone, "welcoming them home", etc. etc. Oh please. Where was he the whole time? Glad you'll never be president, you fraud.

[Ed M.]

I'm glad they were both release, especially for their families. It has been very stressful on them for the past four months.

Let's not forget L.A. Times readers these two ladies violated the North Korean immigration law. These reporters are not exempt from exercising good common sense.

These two female journalists has cost us (U.S.), a diplomatic advantage over the North Korean goverment. I believe these two ladies were pushing the envelope to get the breaking story on the N. Korean refugees, and therefore they both wanted to make a name for themselves. They both acted very selfish.

Now they will seat in front a camera and say, "We did not realize we had crossed N. Korean terretory, and soon after we were detained by N. Korean guards..."

The N. Korean goverment should have kept them for two additional months. These journalists got out easy, there are other prisoners that are still detained in N. Korea. What about them ladies? I really hppe you ladies have learn a good life lesson. But most of all show the American people that you will take responsibility for the mistakes you both made.

I really hope anyone out there is thinking about making a name for themselves, think about it a thousand times. I don't think other journalists will not be so lucky.

Now we have to concentrate in getting the three American hikers out of Iran.

[L L Woods]

Would like to see some info on who provided the aircraft and crew. Maybe even a thanks to the crew for a safe trip.

[L L Woods]

Would like to see some info on who provided the aircraft and crew for the trip. A thanks to the crew might be nice also.

[Canadian]

Are these women actually intelligence agents acting as journalists? Nice crocodile tears upon arrival?

[p cal]

To OC based moron , who doesnt understand the delicate diplomacy that involves dealing with other countries that are not as diplomatic. Al Gore had to work BEHIND the scenes. This isnt a hollywood movie where some special forces unit blasts through the doors , or better yet , this isnt some sort of administration that goes on t.v and says "mission accomplished " or blasts through countries killing people ! measures were put in place and "assembled" as soon as these women were jailed. Wouldnt your common sense tell you this ? Thats what DIPLOMACY is about ! stay behind the ORANGE CURTAIN, and look up what democracy and diplomacy mean . Good Lord dude !

[Not Impressed]

Two mediocre (at best) journalists broke the law and entered enemy territory. This sparked an international debacle that embarrasses Americans, who instead of fighting for ending nuclear attack, must fight for their moronic return to suburbia. Glad the families have their daughters back - sorry for the rest of us who have to face North Korea's anger with nothing to argue but the lives of fools. Note to others, they don't want us there and they have every right to keep us out. Let's discuss real peace and keep some American decorum by respecting international law before Entertainment Tonight starts sending models out to shoot fashion shows at the DMZ.

[Carrie]

Americans do not have the right to go trampling where ever they like. If these women had obeyed the rules, they would not have had a problem. Who paid for this mission and the private plane? I'm going to be pissed if I find out if was we taxpayers.

[Samantha]

Too much hate and ignorance posted. Try doing something/saying something positive for a change rather than typing your capital letters as you cowardly hide behind your computer screens.

[Jeff]

My jaw dropped between the time I saw the pictures of Pres. Clinton meeting with Kim Jong Il and heard the report on the TV news that night that the North Korean government had decided to release the two female journalists on humanitarian grounds. (I have no problem with Al Gore speaking puffery as he did, and his team remaining mute about the pair. I wouldn't talk much, either, until I was absolutely sure it was safe.) They should have been more careful, but I'm glad it's apparently over. I'm not entirely sure about Amb. John Bolton's remarks re: pre-arrangement, etc. A lot of diplomacy involves advance work. Right?

[Adam B]

I can sympathize with what these two reporters and their families went through during this ordeal, but I have to say that I'm not pleased with the carelessness of Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee in allowing themselves to become political pawns of the North Korean regime. It's one thing to chase a story, another thing to empower our nation's enemies through recklessness.

[Ule]

Welcome home ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEy_q9_pvA

[dine]

I'm glad these two are safe back home. There are other reporters stuck in a different country-Esha momeni who is also a journalist was jailed in Iran.

[Sonia]

Real people, real live coverage
THANK YOU BILL

[Eric]

WILL ANYONE HOLD THESE MORONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR IDIOTIC BEHAVIOR? WHY SHOULD SO MANY RESOURCES NOT AVAILABLE TO ANYONE BE DEDICATED TO TWO IDIOTS WHO KNOWINGLY COMMITTED AN ILLEGAL ACT?! WHAT PRECEDENT DOES IT SET WHEN WE HAVE TO SEND OUR HIGHEST RANKING OFFICIALS TO BOW DOWN TO HOSTILE FOREIGN NATIONS ON BEHALF OF TWO PEOPLE THAT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER?WILL THEY, ALONG W/ THEIR FAMILIES HELP PAY FOR THIS MESS ASSUMING TAXPAYER $$ WAS USED? WHAT DO WE TELL THE FAMILIES OF THE HIKERS CAUGHT IN IRAN? DO WE SEND PRES. CLINTON THERE TOO? OR DO WE TELL THEM THAT LING AND LEE ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN THEIR KIDS?

THESE TWO IDIOTS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!

[rkbirk]

What are the journalistic credentials of these two women? In other words, do they have journalism degrees? Just because they call themselves "journalists" and work in TV (cable or not) does not make them journalists. Any ethically trained, savvy journalist would know not to trespass onto forbidden foreign property without first jumping through necessary political hoops. Just as too-many-to-count bloggers may refer to themselves as "journalists" does not make them so. These two women appear very naive and lucky to have Gore and Clinton on their side. Oh -- and no nepotism exists in this situation, as Laura Ling's sister, Lisa Ling, also works for Gore's Current TV (sad that having once co-hosted The View is today considered "journalistic training"). Yet another example of hiring unqualified staff for a serious job. I hope that Gore learned his lesson, too.

[Miles]

Americans should be grateful and proud that they have a man of the immense stature and ability of President Clinton, willing to help US citizens in trouble abroad. He did a wonderful thing for these two people who desperately needed help. What other country in the world could call upon a man like Mr Clinton in their hour of need? He should be deeply honoured in his own country and abroad.

[kooo]

Where's my comment about the journalistic crendentials of these two women? Oh, the somebody's calling the White House... "ling, ling".... "ling, lIng"...

[erasure25]

It is common practice for North Korea to send their soldiers across the border into China and arrest people for entering into North Korean territory.

They have been documented doing this in the past and probably did it again in this situation. No one knows the exact GPS coordinates of where Ling and Lee were captured, but there is a good chance they were actually in Chinese territory.

So before people start condemning Ling and Lee for illegally entering North Korea, and shouting in all CAPS, you should get all the facts. The North Korea "trial" is a farce and does not constitute an acceptable court of law.

[erasure25]

>>"Will Al Gore pay for this recovery effort?
Posted by: john"

@john: Since this was a private plane, I would assume a private party paid for this. But thank you for showing us that you care about a few bucks over the lives of two American citizens who were trying to provide the world with new coverage of a refugee situation that we don't know much about, but probably should.

The next time you need a new liver or insulin medication because you drank too much or ate too much fast food, I'll be sure to ask how much that costs and weight that against the price of a life.

[Paisley]

All over the world American journalists have been held or killed for daring to seek the truth. Thank God the women are home safely. To all the posters who have expressed negativity over this positive outcome, may you never have friends or relatives detained against their will. You wouldn't hesitate to go to any length to get your loved one freed. And, if you could not do it, you would want someone else to do it. Bravo to all involved. PS: if my tax dollars were used, I consider it a small price to pay for freedom.

[Alex]

Sending Clinton gave too much face to North Korea. We should have sent George W. Bush. 12 years hard labor for trespassing over line that was not marked, and arrested by camouflaged soldiers hiding in the bush. I think George W. will leverage the girls for better concessions for the U.S.A. We can always write a ticket to the girls for stupidity when they get home.

[H. D. Schmidt]

I think that if Thomas Jefferson was here today he would sing praises to President Obama for sending Mr. Clinton to North Korea and sit down and talk to that disctator or whatever his position is named. One quote from him: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, enatngling alliances with none".

America's militarism will accomplish only more and more havoc, just like all previous Empires of the past, but is only worse than any previous onces including the British Empire. The Founding Fathers, were they to rise they woulld weep bitterly finding America the greatest mess ever, without naming specifics, while at the same time, America's inhumane and horrendous war machinery circles the globe, out threatening to shoot to pieces any nation does not bow low quickly and and say: Heil to the Emperor and king of the great Empire of America, in a figure of speech!.

The following words to back my above contention:
"Overgrown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to lliberty and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republiican liberty". By George Washington. How could he face America of today were he to rise? While at the same time another nation of millions upon millions of illegals has invaded America whose language is now treated equal to English!

How about these words while our true national debt now stands at over 100 trillion dollars if all shortage are counted in on all Socialistic/Communistic programs like SS, Medicare, etc.: "No pecurniary consideration is more urgent than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious or an economy of time more valuable". By George Washington

In cllosing these words: "The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, in the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale". So, for how many decades has America swindled its futurity while also wasting trillions and trillions in its military which does not meet the USA Constitution either?

America, the time is late! Will you once again respect the Founding Fathers and do their bitting, otherwise hell is still in business and you will contimue to head for it like al previous Empires of the past!

[kooo]

Yessss, can't wait to see Current TV, I mean, "TMZ 2" to showcase these wanna be journalist sob about their misadventures on the Oprah show or other...

[JOHNNY ENGLISH]

Would you like to join me on my next mission, Laura and Euna, and a cuppa tea?!

[Monica Lewinski]

I'm so jealous!

[Melaine Samson]

Lucky for them they're not stuck at Guantanamo without access to counsel or charges like so many of the innocent Muslim men being wrongly imprisoned by the very Americans that were so quick to condemn North Korea. Hypocrits!

[Paul]

Why should America waste so much political capital on two no name women? Is it because one was the sister of Lisa Ling? What a joke.

[Jimmy Johnson]

These two should have been left to rot in N. Korea; reporters are scum and are entitled to nothing! Hopefully, Iran will keep their "reporters" until their sentences are served completely.

[aileen]

I'm shocked by the stance that many of the posters have taken regarding this story, as if this mess occurred because two silly girls were nose-ing around where they shoudn't have been. This is what journalism is. These women stuck their necks out to bring the story of unimaginable human rights abuses taking place in North Korea to the rest of the world. Does this really have no value to you people?

[LMAO]

After reading some of these comments, i had a very good laugh. For those who posted negatively, it look like you all were there when these two women were knapped by the North Korean. Were you there? You guys probably were reading the North Korean news paper or hacked in their news network. So that's how you got the news. LOL. America the beutiful, that is why i love this land. You are protected by the U.S government no matter where you are abroad. No matter if you are a journalist or a janitor capture by North Korean or the Iranian, the US government will bring you home. For the idiot Eric, try standing at the border in South Korea waving your US passport, i will bet you that your face will be on CNN

[Mestengo]

HEY LA TIMES SCREENING COW, WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY PREVIOUS POST? YOU DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I HAVE JOINED THE CHORUS OF CONDEMNATION OF THESE TWO IDIOTS WITH THEIR BLUBBERING TEARS? THOSE TWO MORONS HAVE EXTENDED THE HARDSHIP OF THE NORTH KOREAN PEOPLE LIVING UNDER THAT LITTLE JOKE OF A MAN.

[Mestengo]

Welcome home you dumb little cows. Clinton bailed you out and now that little tin pot dictator can parade around in front of all the poor souls you left behind. What did you accomplish? What the hell did you think you were going to accomplish?

Was this supposed to be a publicity stunt designed to give Boss Gore some TV face time? You suffered a whole 5 months, poor babies. The people you left behind have and will suffer their whole lives Do you think having the husband of the current Secretary of State speak on your behalf was desirable? Why do you think the current administration has sat silent? You have forced foreign policy that minds much larger than yours had decided was inappropriate.

Maybe you two have learned your lesson and will stay home in your barn now.

[no sanctuary]

Why is not anyone in the media asking what did Al Gore know and when did he know it? The media previously reported that these two journalists were on assignment for Current TV owned by Al Gore.
Did Al gore initiate or approve this highly risky and dangerous assignment or did Current TV executives do it on their own? If so, why haven't they been fired? And how has Al Gore allowed such irresponsible behavior by his wholly owned station?
This is the same man that has set up a carbon credit trading company to make hundreds of millions should cap and tax be passed.
Al Gore is a total hypocrite and a world class scam artist.

[el guapo]

Next stop: Reporting from Sudan.