The families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend to await word on whether the two American journalists would be released by the government of North Korea.
Published reports Saturday indicated that North Korea was willing to consider releasing the women if the United States displayed remorse for what it said were "hostile acts."
The possible breakthrough emerged Friday when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for amnesty.
Doug Ling, Laura Ling's father, said Sunday afternoon that he first learned his daughter might be released by watching the news.
"Usually we don't get any news directly," said Ling, who lives in Carmichael. "I first read that they might be released on the CNN ticker."
Ling said that his other daughter, journalist Lisa Ling, went to Los Angeles late Saturday. The TV reporter had addressed supporters at a rally for the two journalists in Sacramento on Thursday. Laura and Lisa Ling both attended high school in Carmichael.
Iain Clayton, Laura Ling's husband, and Michael Saldate, Euna Lee's husband, also gathered in Los Angeles.
Doug Ling said the family doesn't expect to receive any new information about the journalists until sometime today.
According to the Associated Press, North Korean officials told University of Georgia political scientist Han S. Park that the United States should offer "a remorseful acknowledgment" that the reporters violated the North Korea border.
In exchange, North Korea might free the women, Park said, cautioning that a statement of remorse would not guarantee their freedom.
He also told the South Korean English-language newspaper Joong Ang Daily that the journalists had not yet been transferred to a labor camp, as their 12-year sentences mandates, but were "doing fine at a guest house in Pyongyang."
Park, who specializes in East Asian politics and human rights, has visited North Korea on several occasions for academic reasons.
Clinton asked for amnesty for the two journalists Friday, a departure from her previous demands that the two women be released on humanitarian grounds. Rather than offering an apology from the United States, Clinton offered an apology on behalf of the families.
"The two journalists and their families have expressed great remorse for this incident, and I think everyone is sorry that it happened," Clinton said during a meeting with State Department employees.
"What we hope for now is that these two young women would be granted amnesty through the North Korean system and be allowed to return home to their families as soon as possible."
On Sunday, officials at the State Department said they had no new developments to report.
Call The Bee's Jillian Keenan, (916) 321-1207.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.