H.Res. 555 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on June 17, 2009.
H.Res. 555 resolves that the House of Representatives:
• "Urges the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to grant clemency to Laura Ling and Euna Lee and return them to the United States;
• "Supports efforts by President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and others to secure the release of the journalists on humanitarian grounds; and
• "Urges other nations to encourage North Korea to free Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee on humanitarian grounds and return them to the United States."
According to the resolution's findings, Laura Ling is an American journalist and Euna Lee is journalist who was born in South Korea and moved to the United States for college. Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee have been detained by North Korea since March 2009. The two journalists allegedly broke North Korean law by entering the country from China. They were tried by the North Korean government in a proceeding that began on June 4, 2009. On June 8, 2009, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee had been convicted and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor.
Secretary of State Clinton has called upon North Korea to release the journalists, saying "We think the imprisonment, trial and sentencing of Laura and Euna should be viewed as a humanitarian matter. We hope that the North Koreans will grant clemency and deport them."
