Al Gore may head to North Korea to lobby for the reporters’
Al Gore may head to North Korea to lobby for the reporters’ release, the TBS television network in Tokyo said Saturday, citing unnamed sources.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who has gone twice to Pyongyang to successfully negotiate the release of detained Americans, told MSNBC last week he believes North Korea wants to use Lee and Ling as bargaining chips.
But he noted “hopeful” signs they may be released soon after the trial. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, predicted they’ll be released after Washington and Pyongyang hold talks, some 10 to 15 days after the trial.
During his campaign, Obama said he would be open to direct talks if it helps denuclearization. He has supported the Bush policy of engaging the North through international disarmament negotiations — talks Pyongyang walked away from in April.
“Having two journalists detained in the North leaves the U.S. very little maneuvering room since Washington now has to take the women’s safety into account,” said Yoon Deok-min, a professor at South Korea’s state-run Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security.
Bring our girls home!