Mission Accomplished: Two American Journalists Freed by North Korea

Former President Bill Clinton flew to North Korea seeking the release of two journalists. He returns to the U.S. with both of them free.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - The two American journalists imprisoned by North Korea on spy charges received a special pardon and were freed by North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il after talks with former President Bill Clinton.

There was high speculation that Clinton's trip was made after significant inroads had been made for the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested near the China-North Korean border on March 17.

This was the first time for Il to meet with a Western dignitary since his stroke a year ago. According to reports from North Korean media, former President Clinton apologized on behalf of the two women and expressed President Obama's gratitude for their possible release during talks that were reported as "exhausting."

The Central News Agency went on to state that this was a sign of North Korea's "humanitarian and peaceloving policy." They also indicated that President Clinton and the two young women had left Pyongyang in a private plane, headed back to the United States.

The families of both journalists told USA Today that they were overjoyed with news of the sudden pardon and thanked the former President and his Vice President for their assistance.

Questions were immediately posed as to other topics that may have been discussed by the two leaders, including nuclear arms. Clinton did carry a message from President Obama expressing ways to improve relations between the two countries.

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