Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) today issued the following statement after a conversation with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg who recently returned from a visit to the region and is actively engaged in securing the release from North Korea of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling.
“I am very concerned about North Korea’s capture, conviction and imprisonment of two US citizens – Euna Lee and Laura Ling. So is the large Korean American community in my Congressional District, which is also home to the Korean Peace bell.
“I spoke today with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, who was recently in the region and is actively working to secure their release.
“My staff, which includes two Korean Americans – Linda Shim and Rebekah Kim – and I will stay actively engaged until we achieve Euna and Laura’s safe return to America.”
Notes of Harman’s conversation with Deputy Secretary Steinberg are attached.
NOTES FROM HARMAN/STEINBERG CONVERSATION
June 12, 2009
- The United States government is working “very hard” on securing the release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling – “quietly.”
- “This is a very high priority.”
- The women, who are understandably scared, are being held in a “good place” – according to Steinberg and the Swedes – with access to decent food and medical care. (Ling has a mild ulcer which requires medication and Lee has a four year-old daughter.)
- The women have had no contact with their families since a telephone call 10 days ago.
- The State Department is in daily contact with the families, and both Deputy Secretary Steinberg and Secretary Clinton have spoken to the families.
- Steinberg expressed “extremely high” confidence that the two will not be transferred to a hard labor camp. He is equally confident that the two will be released but is not sure about the timing of their release.
- The US government has established that the two women did cross the North Korean border with additional crew, and that they were chased and captured by North Korean border guards. It is unclear whether the border guards entered Chinese territory to effect their capture. The entire episode occurred within “a few dozen meters” of the North Korea – China border.
- There was no prior consultation with the US government by the two women or their employer Current TV.
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