Bill Clinton arrives in North Korea

Bill Clinton arrived in North Korea today on a surprise visit to seek the release of two American journalists serving 12 years for "grave crimes", in the highest profile visit to the country by an American for nearly a decade.

The highly unusual trip comes amid increased tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the stalled aid-for-disarmament talks and the latter’s recent nuclear test and missile launches.

The former US president was greeted by the North’s chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye-gwan, and a high-ranking parliamentary official after landing in an unmarked jet this morning. A young girl presented him with a bouquet.

US officials have confirmed Clinton will negotiate for the freedom of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested in March on the border with China.

The journalists were detained while on a reporting trip for California-based Current TV – co-founded by Al Gore, Clinton’s former vice-president.

They were sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labour for entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts".

North Korea and the US do not have diplomatic relations, but Washington is believed to be working behind the scenes to negotiate their release. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has said "everyone is very sorry" about the incident and urged Pyongyang to grant them amnesty.

Kim Yong-hyun, a professor at Seoul’s Dongguk University, told the Associated Press that Clinton’s visit could serve two purposes: securing the women’s release and improving ties between the two countries.

"I think it’s not just about journalists. It will serve as a turning point in the US-North Korea relations," he said.

Source/Full Story: guardian.co.uk

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