[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SENTENCING OF TWO AMERICANS IN NORTH KOREA

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 2009

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call for the immediate 
release of two U.S. journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, sentenced to 
twelve years hard labor in North Korea.
  On March 17, 2009, Laura Ling and Euna Lee were arrested by North 
Korean officials while investigating the plight of North Korean 
refugees fleeing to China. The North Korean government accused the two 
women of committing hostile crimes against the Korean nation and 
illegally crossing the North Korean border. On June 8, after a four-day 
trial conducted largely in secret, Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee were sentenced 
to twelve years of hard labor in a North Korean prison camp.
  North Korea's blatant disregard for due process and human rights in 
the treatment of these two women is unacceptable. International human 
rights organizations have unanimously declared their conviction the 
result of inflated accusations and a ``sham trial''. Despite being 
party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 
North Korea's judicial system fails international fair trial standards 
for transparency, independence, and conviction based on recognized 
criminal offenses. Unfortunately, the arrest and conviction of these 
two American journalists is but one example of the oppression under 
which North Koreans have suffered for too long.
  Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee's sentencing to prison labor camp is also a 
disturbing violation of human rights and humanitarian standards. The 
State Department reports that conditions in North Korean prison camps 
are harsh and life threatening, with beatings and torture a regular 
occurrence. Three months of detention have already exacerbated Ms. 
Ling's medical condition and caused significant trauma for Ms. Lee's 
young daughter and family. Sentencing these two women to twelve years 
hard labor is a severe breach of international humanitarian standards. 
Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee should be released immediately.
  The draconian sentence handed down to the two American journalists 
raises serious concerns about United States-Korean relations. It is 
deeply disturbing that North Korea would consider using these women as 
a negotiating tactic to avoid punishment for its latest nuclear tests. 
If North Korea truly wishes to ensure its national security, it should 
begin by releasing Laura Ling and Euna Lee and participating in the 
global community as a fair player.
  Madam Speaker, I call on my colleagues and the Obama Administration 
to work for the swift release of these two women back to their 
families.

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