In South Korea, Freed U.S. Journalists Come Under Harsh Criticism

nytimes.com:

Laura Ling and Euna Lee, the two American journalists released after nearly five months in North Korean custody, have been widely portrayed at home as victims of unduly harsh punishment by a repressive government for simply doing their job.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[Ergon]

Over on the Afghan threads, many offers to evacuate 'the women of Afghanistan', just as South Korean mail order bride agencies are also offering to 'rescue' North Korean women.

[bazokbros]

Bottom line, these two gambled trying to be "gutsy" investigative journalists, but it backfired miserably. Again, Ling has put crew and other people in danger before with some of her reports on Current TV. These two are not heroes and we would be looking at this a WHOLE lot differently if these two had done this with a news agency that Al Gore is not a partial owner.

[AN2009]

South Koreans enjoy hurling "harsh criticism" at others, and yet they often refuse to critically examine their own problems. For example, they bitterly complain about Japanese treatment during WWII, but then conveniently forget about becoming mercenaries for the United States government during the Vietnam War and committing numerous atrocities against the Vietnamese (other Asian people). It's not surprising why South Korean claims aren't taken seriously.

[khanti]

They are like those Korean missionaries who went to Iraq to spread Chritianity. Or the guy who swam over to Suu Kyi's house. They were selfish and would have gotten their moment of fame had they pulled through at the expenses of others.

[AN2009]

It's funny how South Koreans "complained" about those missionaries and then begged the United States to help free some of them when they got kidnapped. Their media outlets routinely demonize non-Koreans, especially whites and blacks, but, of course, South Korea still wants to sell its (lame) products to foreigners.

[MRb1000]

This reminds me of people that venture off on the side of a mountain. They know it is dangerous. They know the consequence of bad weather! Now, when things go wrong, they want somebody to risk their life to rescue them! Yeah, like in a white out! People getting mad at rescuers because they do not want to risk their live in these situations.

They knew the risk on all sides. They made a decision and now they have to live with it. These people are suffering because of selfishness and incompetences.

Look folks in just like anything you do in life! You have a choice! They have made their bed now they have to sleep in them! They will never forget what the let happen to those people!

[roudy]

They both received a nice back check from the CIA for their "services">

[AN2009]

More hyperbolic lies as always.

[AN2009]

Way to blame the wrong people. Excellent work, Cronkite.

[AN2009]

All these glitches. This website needs maintenance. The previous comment was meant for MRb1000.

[Blup]

I can only say that the hubris shown by Ling, Koss, and Lee (although there is some evidence that Lee was much less to blame for what transpired) was astounding. I hope that people have enough sense not to reward their behavior by purchasing any future books. They should not be rewarded for their stupidity and the danger they've caused the North Korean refugees in China. Let's hope that the refugees have not been captured.

[Emucrat]

Rev. Lee Chan-woo, the South Korean pastor is right. These two girls revealed the little and only netwprk of hope, North Korean refugees could get. Now the refugees are on their own and the North Korean dictator has his picture with an American President for his propaganda. Their addiction to fame destroyed the hope of freedom for many.

[Ergon]

Thanks to GhiaccioPronto for the following links
http://liberatelaura.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/the-daffy-mail/#comments
and http://epicanthus.net/2009/08/13/key-figure-in-euna-lee-laura-ling-incident-hit-with-sexual-harassment-allegations/
concerning the pastor hit with sexual assault allegations.

[AN2009]

How about some links to actual news websites rather than some sketchy blogs...

[Yves Papa]

Try this:

http://photos.cyberpresse.ca/51-6732/caricatures/caricatures-du-2-au-8-aout-200/?unique=2536948938629294#enVedette/0/recherche/Rechercher%20un%20album/0/onglets/51/0/album/6732/165924/

[katielady]

These women took a risk that went horribly wrong and got caught!!!! One can't expect South Koreans to be thrilled about this... They crossed over into North Korea (whether they actually did or not, it was a condition to their release.. It cost South Korean prisoners!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!

[kuwaitamoment]

They have freely admitted to crossing the border for "30 seconds", most likely to get a photograph of them on North Korean soil. It was a stupid move and unjustified.

[shockmagog]

The problem is, is that they got caught. Those of us who criticize these women may be the same ones who would applaud them if they didn't, and then managed to get their story out to the world public who happen to give a da.m.n about these refugees.

Ironically, in a way, their story DID get out--no?

[takeyourballandgohome]

No, we would not all applaud them...per­haps you.

[harriettubman]

I don't applaud any journalist, reporters, or whatever they're called, who seek stories despite being mothers, wives, sisters, their safety and then want the U.S. to come bail them out.

[robbyJ]

You're right woman should just make babies and cook.

[middleoftheroad]

It's good that they are free, but nobody in the US is really talking about that they went over there to do a story for Al Gore's TV station and went were they were not supposed to go. They admit to crossing over. Shocker that they were picked up the North Koreans. What would happen if you put your foot in a shark tank? uhhh ...it would get bit. NOW THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE MILLIONS! They should pay every dollar back to this country for the international incident they created. Two dumb asses is what they are.

[harriettubman]

Yeah, I haven't seen one station talk about their "mission" over there.

[AddyGmom]

Yeh. I equate folks like ling and liu and the hikers in Iran to 'adventurers' who defy the odds and get into trouble then expect help at the expense of lives of emergency workers and beaucoups $$$.

[WorkingClass]

I'm glad these women are safe at home. But I think the word for them is "stupid". What did they think they were getting into? Now that they know something about the real world, maybe they wont be so eager to risk their lives in the future.

[Ergon]

What is being lost is the story of the 'Christian Pastor aiding refugees' while actually being accused of trafficking in women for prostitution and financial gain. That the exploitation is taking place in China and abetted by South Koreans, yet we are focussed on North Korea.
That there is a real world wide problem of women fleeing economic conditions who end up being forced into prostitution needs to be reported, of course, and thanks to Eco 1 for this UN report: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4a42149dc.html
The role of 'Christian' organisations in this cannot be overlooked either; and there is a reason that many Latin American African, and Asian countries see these evangelicals as being nothing more than fronts for the CIA.