May 26, 2009
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Laura Ling and Euna Lee
amid the North Korean nuclear test and missile launch hoopla over the weekend, let’s try not to forget that two american journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, are about to be tried in north korea on June 3 for espionage and whatever else with a potential for like ten-plus years in a north korean labor camp.
it’s hard not to assume a caricaturish picture of north korea’s justice system, not when they’ve so proudly acted the part of the batshit crazy inmate, so let’s go ahead and make a generalization here: north korea couldn’t find a fair trial if it sat on their face and shat a turd in their mouth. and while we’re at it let’s make another generalization and say that prison life for these Americans will probably be out of some holocaust nightmare.
in addition to being fairly annoyed that north korea is acting up again, and also feeling pretty helpless because it seems that north korea does shit like this with impunity thanks to China, and also feeling scared for these civilians that, yes, knew the risks but still, like me, are probably not suited for this type of treatment, i’m also feeling a little burned by the disproportionate response the American journalist in Iran got when she was tried then released.
why is everyone so fucking silent about these journalists in north korea?
true, north korea and iran are two totally different beasts and need to be handled differently. it can be hypothesized that the US government silence on this subject — thinking comparatively, Hillary made a direct statement calling for the release of the journalist in Iran — indicates some hush hush back-channel business going on that might be hurt by public exposure. but that’s just a theory, and an imaginative one at that. a theory conveniently supported by more silence.
it’s also making excuses for lack of action, lack of outrage. this is going to sound like boorish American talk here, but, fuck it, here it comes anyway. it should NOT be ok to snatch and punish Americans for the sake of political theater. north korea should never feel it has balls enough to try and shame America by subjecting Americans to a sham trial and probable imprisonment. it’s impossible to support every wronged American out there, but this one hits home a little harder since they are both Asian American journalists and north korea and its douchebagginess is a point of interest for me.
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and if you’re about to go off about america’s past sins and retribution, f**k you. north korea isn’t owed shit by us.
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from angryasianman.
A message from the Ling and Lee Families:
Dear Friends,
The families of Laura and Euna are moved beyond words by your show of support for our girls. The past 10 weeks have been the most stressful of our lives. We believe that the girls are in no physical danger and for that we a grateful. But as their days in detention progress, we have become increasingly concerned about their well-being and state of mind. Though the girls are strong, we know that they are very very scared.
We know that our government is working very hard to secure their release, but given the sensitivity of the situation and the fact that our two countries have no diplomatic relationship, our families are not making any public comments other than to thank you so very much for coming out to support our girls.
Many of you have never met Laura or Euna, but know that you are standing up for truth and justice. We, the families of the girls, deeply thank you for taking the time to be here to support two girls who just wanted to tell the world a story.
Most appreciatively,
The Families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee
5/21/09“Last week, there were public vigils held on their behalf all around the country, with more planned in the United States for June 3rd — the day their trial begins in North Korea. Details are still coming together. Keep checking this Facebook group for more details, and what else you can do to help.”
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Comments (3)
Are you angryasianman?
@supanamja -
nope, but i met him once!
i’m part of that facebook group that angryasianman mentioned: “Detained In North Korea: Journalist Laura Ling and Euna Lee, please help” — they’ve been planning vigils and trying to make the media and others aware of these journalists. i know it’s gonna be a sham of a trial and i hope to God they don’t end up in a labor camp. i just saw the movie “Crossing,” and i’ve a feeling that the film’s depiction of a labor camp was NOT exaggerated at all.
it’s so disappointing, because from the late 90s until relatively recently, south korea was trying hard to help NK with its sunshine policy, food aid, and other forms of support, even tourist trips to Keumkang San. and what NK does in return is test 2 missiles in one week and scare the shit out of people. sheesh.