June 10, 2009 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), Co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, signed a letter signed by 24 members of Congress to President Obama, asking that he "pursue every avenue to secure" the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two American journalists sentenced this week to 12 years hard labor in North Korea. The letter asks President Obama to give their case his "personal attention." A copy of the letter, along with a list of cosigners can be found here and is reprinted below. A PDF copy of the letter is attached.

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our grave concern over the fate of two American journalists currently held in North Korea. As you know, Laura Ling and Euna Lee of Current TV of San Francisco have been found guilty of illegally entering North Korea and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. We ask that you take urgent action and pursue every avenue to secure their release.
Simply stated, there is no justice system in North Korea.

Representatives from the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang, which is the United States' protecting power in North Korea, were not even allowed to witness the court proceedings. According to the State Department's 2008 Human Rights Report on North Korea, "Prison conditions were harsh and life threatening and torture occurred." Indeed, North Korean defectors have spoken of unfathomable horrors in labor camps. That is what these two young women face.

Without question, these two Americans should be immediately released on humanitarian grounds. Laura Ling has an ulcer condition that requires medical attention. Euna Lee has a four-year old daughter from whom she has been separated since March.

Given the horrendous conditions that face Laura Ling and Euna Lee, coupled with their draconian sentence, this situation requires your urgent and personal attention. We look forward to working with you to speed the release of these two young American journalists.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ed Royce
Rep. Joe Pitts
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Rep. Madeleine Bordallo
Rep. Shelly Berkley
Rep. Peter King
Rep. Gerry Connolly
Rep. Scott Garrett
Rep. Bob Inglis
Rep. Betty McCollum
Rep. Michael H. Michaud
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter
Rep. Tammy Baldwin
Rep. Dan Burton
Rep. Elton Gallegly
Rep. Jim Oberstar
Rep. Ken Calvert
Rep. Jim Moran
Rep. Robert Wexler
Rep. Dan Lungren
Rep. Don Manzullo
Rep. Trent Franks
Rep. Albio Sires
Rep. Michael Capuano