Kim Pardons American Journalists

Good news, but at what price?

North Korean President Kim Jong Il has pardoned and released two U.S. journalists, state-run news agency KCNA said Wednesday.
President Clinton met Tuesday with North Korea leader Kim Jong Il.

The announcement came after former U.S. President Clinton met with top North Korean officials in Pyongyang to appeal for their release.

“Clinton expressed words of sincere apology to Kim Jong Il for the hostile acts committed by the two American journalists against the DPRK after illegally intruding into it,” the news agency reported. “Clinton courteously conveyed to Kim Jong Il an earnest request of the U.S. government to leniently pardon them and send them back home from a humanitarian point of view.

“The meetings had candid and in-depth discussions on the pending issues between the DPRK and the U.S. in a sincere atmosphere and reached a consensus of views on seeking a negotiated settlement of them.”

The report said Clinton then conveyed a message from U.S. President Obama “expressing profound thanks for this and reflecting views on ways of improving the relations between the two countries.”

I am sure many people are elated that Ling and Lee are freed, as they should, but I wonder what was the cost? Will it hamper human rights work in China? What if the cost was promises to prevent Americans from operating near the Chinese-North Korean border?

All speculation until further info, but I personally doubt that KJI released them because of any threats or intimidation from Clinton.

One good thing though is now we can finally receive an accurate account of what happened at the border.