In case you haven’t heard, the two Asian American journalists who were detained by the North Korean government earlier this year, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were finally released yesterday. They were accused of illegally entering the country and were sentenced to 12 years in a labor prison by Kim Jong Il and his posse. Months of demand and pleas from the US government and the journalists’ family members, including famous journalist Lisa Ling, sister of Laura Ling, fell on the communist regime’s deaf ears. But when the charismatic former US president Bill Clinton made an unofficial visit to North Korea earlier this week, he managed to meet with Kim Jong Il and successfully negotiated for the release of the two journalists.

The North Korean government claims it pardoned the two journalists after President Clinton apologized for their actions. If you ask me, I don’t think that’s how he did it. I think he sent the dictator a bunch of cigars and yet to be released Hollywood movies. Apparently Kim Jung Il is a big fan of Hollywood movies.

It must be an excruciating experience for these two poor women having spent half a year in this hell hole , so I am very happy for their release and their reunion with their families.

Welcome home Laura and Euna!