North Korea frees journalists after Clinton visit

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Il has issued a “special pardon” for two American journalists and ordered their release at former US president Bill Clinton’s request, North Korean state media reported yesterday.

The release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, sentenced in June to 12 years hard labour, reflected North Korea’s “humanitarian and peace-loving policy,” the Korean Central News Agency said.

Earlier yesterday, Clinton met Kim as part of a mission to free the journalists.