His Excellency Ha Chan-ho
Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for Canada
150 Boteler Street
Ottawa, K1N 5A6

June 9, 2009

Dear Ambassador,

As journalists and members of the global press freedom community we are writing to express our concern about the March 17 detention of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, and their upcoming trial on June 4 on charges of illegally entering the Peoples Republic of Korea and unspecified "hostile acts."

Both women are journalists reporting for Current TV. Their families have called for understanding from the DPRK's government, and they have apologized for any possible transgressions. Family members have said the women had assured them before they left the United States that they had never intended to enter North Korea while they were on their reporting trip.

We call on you to use your diplomatic efforts to press for the release of these two journalists

Sincerely,
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Ave., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
info (@) cpj.org
Phone: +1 212 465 1004
Fax: +1 212 465 9568

ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression
Associação Brasileira de Jornalismo de Investigação
Arab Archives Institute
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Centre for Independent Journalism
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building
National Center for Social Communication
Comité por la Libre Expresión
Foro de Periodismo Argentino
Freedom House
Federation of Nepali Journalists
Globe International
International Press Institute
Index on Censorship
Instituto Prensa y Sociedad
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
Journaliste en danger
Media Foundation for West Africa
Media Institute
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Media Rights Agenda
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Mizzima News
Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión
Observatoire pour la liberté de presse, d'édition et de création
Pacific Freedom Forum
Pakistan Press Foundation
Public Association "Journalists"
Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay
Southeast Asian Press Alliance
South East European Network for the Professionalization of the Media
Thai Journalists Association
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
World Association of Newspapers
World Press Freedom Committee

c.c.: Ted Lipman, Ambassador of Canada to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; ;
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs