Two TV journalists have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in North Korea at North Koreas Labor Camps. They do not even have the ability to appeal their verdict. They were charged with what North Korea calls "illegal border crossings, harsh acts and spying. Their names are Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

JLHanna, a 22 year old college student and I, a 48 year old out of work due to a severe back injury, had a discussion about the issue the sentencing of these two women. We both agree that the sentencing of these women is harsh, very harsh and we think you will find our discussion interesting.

Introduction

Me - I think it is disgusting that Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. Besides the fact these two women are very skinny and do not look like they could handle the work, this is wrong. What could these two women have done that is so bad to cause this kind of sentence?

JLHanna - I don't see what they could have done that was so wrong. Although seeing as the two reporters were arrested around the same time, for the same thing and working for the same company; I would think they were covering a huge story together and were arrested because someone didn't want the story being leaked. If this was the case it must have been one huge story for them to be charged with spying, harsh acts and illegal border crossings.

1. Do you think that the sentencing of Laura Ling and Euna Lee is harsh?

Me - I think the North Korean government has imposed the harshest sentence possible and I do not think it is fair at all.

JLHanna - I agree, how could you sentence two women to manual labour for 12 years. Oh sorry! Not just manual labor but hard labor. These women don't look like they could do much hard labor let alone 12 years worth in a labor camp. The government definitely went over board on this one.

2. Should the American government try to get these two women out of North Korea?

Me - I think every country in the world should join in with the states to get these two women out of North Korea as quickly as possible. No other country in the world should put up with North Korea sentencing these two women like that.

JLHanna - I definitely think the government should get these two women out. This isn't fair to them at all. I don't think anybody would survive 12 years of hard manual labor and if they did they definitely wouldn't come out the same people. This is unusual, cruel punishment.

3. Should the American government put sanctions on North Korea?

Me - While I would like to see sanctions put on North Korea, I also don't want a third world war. However, North Korea has to learn that they can't get away with this and that there will be consequences of their actions.

JLHanna - They definitely need to do something to show North Korea that what they did was uncalled for but I'm not sure putting sanctions on the government is going to help any.

4. Should North Korea have sentenced these two women to hard labor?

Me - I do not think that North Korea should have sentenced these two women to hard labor at all. No matter what these two women have done, I don't think the punishment fits the crime in this case.

JLHanna - I keep saying these two women should never have been punished with hard labour because they can't handle it. I don't really care if its women or men, this punishment was way to severe. Do we, Canada or the States ever lock someone up and give them hard labor as punishment? Even murderers? No, we don't. So, does North Korea think this is fair punishment? If they are doing this to their own people as punishment then the problem stems much furthur then these two women and North Korea should be forced somehow to change there laws... is this not abuse?

5. Do you think that if North Korea doesn't let these two women go, this will cause a war between North Korea and the United States of America?

Me - I do think that if North Korea does not release these two women, it is going to cause a war. Again, I don't think any country in the world should let North Korea get away with this but do we really need to go to war against North Korea?

JLHanna - Well, I definitely don't wish harm on these two women, but I'm not sure if the two countrys going to war over it is right either. Thousands of people will be killed because of one country's stupid decision. What is it going to teach anybody if North Korea wants to continue doing this kind of thing? What's to stop them then? Killing thousands of people for two people when we really don't know exactly what happened is not right either.

Conclusion

Me - I feel just terrible for Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Just looking at their photograph, I don't see how they are ever going to survive hard labor for 12 years. I, for one, would like to know more about the crime they did because I don't think it could be all that bad. I think North Korea is just overreacting. I sincerely give my sympathy and support to Laura Ling and Euna Lee and their family members and hope they are released very soon.

JLHanna - I feel terrible for the two women as well, I don't see how they could survive 12 years of hard labor either. I beleive if they are going to hold an American in North Korea with such a ridiculous punishment then we have the right to know exactly what happened. North Korea has got to be overreacting, and I also give my sympathy and support to the two women and their family members.

August 5, 2009 - They are home!!! I was so glad to see Laura Ling and Euna Lee get off that airplane. I am so glad that they have been released. I guess this proves that there is still some compassion left in this world and good things do happen. This was very good news indeed.