Clinton Embarks on Diplomatic Mission to North Korea

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Former President sent to secure release of jailed reporters.

Bill Clinton has flown to North Korea on a diplomatic mission to calm tensions over nuclear missile tests and to try and secure the release of two journalists who were recently imprisoned.

The former US President touched down yesterday in Pyongyang in an unmarked jet plane and was welcomed by North Korean officials including the vice president of parliament, Yang Hyong Sop and tellingly, the country’s chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye Gwan.

Washington will be counting on Clinton’s charm and diplomatic weight to try and repeat the success of former President Jimmy Carter’s 1994 trip to North Korea, which managed to reforge links between America and North Korea during an equally volatile period in diplomatic relations.

Although there is no set itinerary for the Clinton visit, the ex-President is expected to enter negotiations with government officials to make headway in securing the freedom of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, both US citizens who were filming a documentary for broadcaster Current TV before their arrest in March this year.

The pair were convicted of entering North Korea illegally and handed a sentence of 12 year’ hard labour. Their families have pleaded their innocence, but it may take the intervention of the former President to have those pleas heard. Mr Clinton is expected to meet the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il as part of his trip abroad.

No official comment has been released from the White House, but an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the BBC: “Our interest here is the successful completion of the mission and the safe return of the journalists.”