An Update on the Ling-Lee Situation

While there isn’t a lot of new news to report, there are a few things worth mentioning.

First of all, after weeks of silence, Laura Ling again contacted her sister Lisa, most recently last night, with a specific message including a confession that she and Lee broke North Korean law:

“I know that our government has been working behind the scenes very hard trying to bring the girls back home,” she said. But she added, “Our countries don’t talk, and perhaps this could be a reason.”

[Lisa Ling] said her sister “was very specific about the message that she was communicating, and she said, ‘Look, we violated North Korean law and we need our government to help us. We are sorry about everything that has happened, but we need diplomacy.’ “

Again, one needs to be cautious when trying to interpret Ling’s admission that the two journalists ventured into North Korean territory. Maybe they did. Or maybe they have been tortured into saying they did, or perhaps, they feel that admitting to this mistake is their best chance for release even if it is not true.  According to the Facebook page dedicated to the release of Ling and Lee, it is a “fact” that the two journalists admitted to breaking DPRK law, so make of that what you will.

Meanwhile, vigils continue throughout the U.S. and overseas with several taking place tomorrow:

In San Francisco, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the front steps of San Francisco City Hall, at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodleett Place, email:liberatelaurasf@gmail.com;

In Sacramento (Lisa Ling will be in attendance), 6:30-8 p.m. at the West Steps of the California State Capitol at 10th Street between L and N Streets, email: freelauraandeunainternational@gmail.com;

In Phoenix, 6-8 p.m. at the Changing Hands Bookstore at 6428 S. McClintock Dr.;

In Washington, D.C., 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Dupont Circle fountain, email: LiberateLauraDC@gmail.com;
and

In Paris, France, 6-8 p.m. at Peace Wall Champs de Mars at Place Jacques Rueff 75007.