North Korea detains 2 American journalists

[cali]

NEW: Journalists identified as Laura Ling and Euna Lee, a diplomatic source says

Two female U.S. journalists held while filming near border of North Korea and China

Journalists were detained after refusing to stop filming


(CNN) -- Two female American journalists were detained while filming near the border of North Korea and China, South Korean media reported Thursday.

The journalists were detained after they refused to stop filming, according to Yonhap, South Korea's state-sponsored news agency.

The journalists were identified as Laura Ling and Euna Lee, a diplomatic source said.

It was unclear when they were detained and what organization they worked for.

Tensions have been building between the United States and North Korea over the planned launch of a "satellite" by the communist nation.

<snip>
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/19/n.korea.us.journalists/

[cali]

1. I'm going to kick this up

journalists have been identified as being from Current TV.

[lazyriver]

4. I thought I recognized Laura Ling's name...

http://current.com/items/89898556/north_korea_detains_two_current_tv_reporters.htm

The Current TV journalists are some of the best and bravest in the business IMHO.

[cali]

5. Thanks for the link

this is very worrisome. We need to apply immediate pressure to get them released.

[lazyriver]

7. This NYT link was in the replies to the story on Current...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/world/asia/20korea.html?_r=1

[NeedleCast]

2. Pretty Bold Move by North Korea

This goes beyond thier normal sabre rattling. I hope both of these ladies are released without incident.

[leftyclimber]

3. I hope we're able to get them out quickly.

I shudder to think what kinds of ridiculous demands the NK government is going to make for their release.

These two brave women are in my thoughts.

[mmonk]

6. Here, they would have probably been arrested on terrorism charges.

[cali]

8. oh for pity's sake

whether two N. Korean journalists would or would not have been arrrested here, is completely immaterial. This is an incident of concern. It happened. It didn't happen here to N. Koreans or other foreign journalists. The stupid knee jerk "but we're just as bad or worse" is such a fucking stupid strawman re this situation- and most others.

[PVnRT]

9. Good ol' North Korea

A nightmare state if there ever was one.