CPJ calls for North Korea to free Lee, Ling

In response to reports that North Korea would formally indict U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested on the border with China more than a month ago, we issued the following statement…

“We fear that these two journalists could become pawns for North Korea in a larger political game being played out with South Korea, China and the United States,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Negotiations for their release must not be tied to issues such as nuclear weapons, missile testing, food aid, and general security on the Korean peninsula. We call upon the North Korean authorities to free them immediately,” Dietz said.