Journalists Laura Ling, husband Iain Clayton and mother Mary Ling walk with former President Bill Clinton as Ling arrives with Euna Lee who is talking with former Vice President Al Gore at Hangar 25 on August 5, 2009 in Burbank, California after being released by North Korean authorities yesterday.
Ling and Lee, of San Francisco based Current TV, were both arrested by North Korea in March for illegally entering the country on the Chinese border. Yesterday they were pardoned by President Kim Jong-Il after a meeting with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Ling and Lee had been sentenced to 12 years in prison in June.Former Vice President Al Gore, from left, Laura Ling, former President Bill Clinton, and Euna Lee arrive at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. Lee and Ling, the two American journalists freed by North Korea, returned home to the United States on Wednesday for a jubilant, emotional reunion with family members and friends they hadn't seen since their arrests nearly five months ago.
Freed U.S. journalist Laura Ling (L, back to camera) hugs her mother Mary Ling (R) after her arrival with fellow journalist Euna Lee from North Korea in Burbank, California August 5, 2009. Ling, 32, and Lee, 36, American journalists freed by North Korea after months of detention, returned to the United States on Wednesday accompanied by former President Bill Clinton, who secured their release in a meeting with the reclusive state's leader Kim Jong-il. Also pictured are Laura Ling's husband Iain Clayton (L, rear) and sister Lisa Ling (2nd R).
