North Korea Sentence 2 US Journalists to 12 Years in jail
By gurkha786
@gurkha786 (78)
Fiji
June 8, 2009 1:41am CST
North Korea's top court convicted two american journalists and sentenced them to 12 years in labor prison on Monday, intensifying the reclusive nations confrontation with the United States.
I do not know much about North Korea other then the occasional news about them testing some new weapon. Have they done something in their past that has lead to a head on collision with the US, apart from the Korean war that is.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
8 Jun 09
Well I really do not see why the US should get involved in this matter to deeply. Of course they want to make sure they get a fair trial and all. But if they really enter the country illegally then they are guilty of the crime and therefore should be held accountable. Just because you are a journalist does not make you above the laws of the countries you go into.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I was still up in the wee hours of the morning when they broke in with the news of their sentencing. It apparently was more harsh than expected. I understand former V.P. Al Gore and part owner of the Current Network that the two young journalists worked for may be sent to North Korea to plea for their release or for at least a lesser sentence.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090604/pl_afp/nkoreausmilitarymediagore
I certainly hope some kind of compromise can be reached to get these young women released.
Annie
@gurkha786 (78)
• Fiji
9 Jun 09
What is really frustrating is why 12 years in labor prison, what was so serious man!!!
@slyvanus2001 (53)
• United States
10 Jun 09
Most notably, North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons and a missile program that the United States and its allies view as a threat to the region. The recent weapon North Korea tested was their second nuclear bomb. The first test occured in 2006. According to American intelligence officials, North Korea has the ability to build six to seven nuclear weapons.
North Korea also fired a missile over the Pacific Ocean in April 2009, defying the United Nations. North has tested missiles in the past. For example, in 1993 they launched a missile into the Sea of Japan. Since then, they have tested other missiles. The United States views these actions as a threat to peace that could upset the balance of power in the region. The sentencing of the two journalists was just another incident in North Korea's tense relationship with the United States and it's allies.
