Let's not forget that there were three Current TV journalists "in search of a story" back in March 2009, even though the story of North Korean refugees in China was already found inside the February 2009 issue of National Geographic.
Yesterday's report from North Korea's news agency had many Americans scrambling to find their Webster's dictionary to look up the word "calumny". Likewise Lisa Ling's appearance on AC360 last night had North Korean officials searching their English-Korean dictionary for the word "compassion" and feeling surprised to learn that it has nothing to do with determining geographical direction.

To the families, stay hopeful. To the girls, people who care are praying. Be strong.

North Korea is not going to let these women free. I feel very sad for the both of them and their families. Keep them in the media and don't forget them.

The cameraman got away...where is the film? If they were searching for a story they will have one now, assuming they survive. I do sympathize but I can't help but think that they should have known better. For God' sake they shoot people in the DMZ.

I'm sure that no amount of saying that Ling and Lee were plain dumb in going anywhere near a closed and unfriendly country like North Korea would do any good, especially not to their poor families, friends and colleagues, but that's what I feel like saying to them over and over again. Surely, as journalists, they imagined this scenario when they agreed to get close to those places where they were arrested, and they also surely knew what an impossible position they would be putting the US in just because they were after a story. Well, they got a story alright, the story of their lives. Come to think of it, maybe they weren't dumb after all.

There journalist should have known better. They put their lives at risk as well as the mental state of their families. It is sad that this is happening, If they do get released would they do it again? or would they not. I hope they would choose stories to report that were in this country where they are safe.

These journalist should have known better. They put their lives at risk as well as the mental state of their families. It is sad that this is happening, If they do get released would they do it again? or would they not. I hope they would choose stories to report that were in this country where they are safe.

two idiots. they knew it's dangerous and they pushed the envelop. no amount of apologies will make north korea change their decision. it's an evil country.

I watch a show called "Locked Up Abroad" & many times the people arrested serve at least 5 years. I really hope this will be a good outcome,12 years "hard" labor seems inhuman . Peace to all involved,I hope something can be done about this.

This is my very first comment on this report...reading some of the comments above I simply could not stay silent a moment longer...

Why are people casting blame on Laura & Euna? We don’t even know the facts yet. Their court case was closed for their so-called ‘crime.’ And even if we had a taped ‘confession’ – we truly don’t know if it’s credible considering the circumstances.

All I know is that by casting blame on them you are not only hurting their families but also hurting their reputation as journalists – slandering them really. And possibly even empowering anyone holding them. It’s like blaming the victim…because we simply don’t know what actually happened.

We should pity and not blame…If there are so-called ‘lessons’ to be learned – let it come from their own mouths and hearts to help others…As it is my heart has been touched by the heartfelt apologies by Lisa Ling on behalf of the families…a human appeal to the heart. This is the time for diplomacy, carefully chosen words, and for hoping North Korea will show human compassion as the world watches and waits…

… right now my heart aches for Laura & Euna and their dear families & friends & colleagues…and especially a little 4 year old girl named Hannah, without her mother who has been sentence of 12 years of hard labor in North Korea…no visitation day passes there…if that’s true then that means she’ll be 16 years old when she meets her mother again…how can that possibly happen?…to me that is beyond heartbreaking…I’m sure little Hannah isn’t blaming her mother…she’s just missing her…I can only imagine how much her dear mother misses her…and how much Laura Ling misses her dear family too…I’m so sorry beyond words and truly keep this in my heartfelt thoughts & prayers…

“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.” – Albert Camus

Peace..."Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" – Hebrews 13:3...

I don't feel there is any need to call them "Idiots" Rhea. I feel sorry for those young girls and I just hope someone will do their best to help them get out of there. Yea, they made a big mistake, but the blame should go toward the people that put them in prison and doing hard labor!! I can't even imagine what they are going through. I just hope they are still alive. I'm scared for them and their families. I would definately like to know where that footage is also. I'll be praying for these two young ladies and their families. I hope they can stay strong and I hope OUR GOVERNMENT will try and do something about this!!

This is the risk, doing this kind of journalism, that they claim to take, but are shocked and horrified when it actually happens. How the he** important was the story?
I wouldn't even consider putting myself or expect a family member to put themselves at such risk. They expected to be heroes but now are prisoners.

No means no. This is the consequences of choosing recklessly, especially in hostile territory.

i dont get it...?

In this case I feel sorry for the little girl, the child of this woman. She wants it all a career, the big story. Why have a child and then run off to a hostile country and put yourself in harms way. That poor little girl was left to possibly grow up without a mother. For What? Just like crack addicts, who don't chose between the drugs and having babies. Selfish women who bring chiledren into the world and then abandon them for careers, drugs, and their own selfish interests.