Families of journalists jailed by North Korea on tense watch for news in California

Calif families of journalists wait for better news

CARMICHAEL, Calif. — The father of one of the two American journalists convicted and imprisoned in North Korea said Monday the family won’t comment publicly while the case is developing.

Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp by North Korea’s highest court for allegedly entering the country’s territory. They were working for San Francisco-based Current TV when North Korean guards seized them March 17 near the North Korea-China border.

Doug Ling spoke briefly to The Associated Press at his home in the Sacramento suburb of Carmichael.

“We’re going to keep a low-profile until we hear something better about the situation,” he said.

Euna Lee, 36, lives in California with her husband and 4-year-old daughter, Hannah.

A New York-based spokeswoman for the Ling and Lee families, Alanna Zahn, said Monday they would have no comment.

Supporters held vigils last week in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Washington and other cities urging the North Korean government to release the journalists.

“The only thing I can say is that we still remain hopeful that Laura and Eunie will return home safely,” said Beth Diebels, 35, a former classmate of Ling’s at Del Campo High School who organized last week’s march in Sacramento.

Laura Ling, 32, is the younger sister of Lisa Ling, a reporter for National Geographic “Explorer” TV.

A receptionist at Current TV in downtown San Francisco told reporters gathered outside the office Monday that the company would have no statement.