Detained Americans in North Korea - Madison Escano

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.msn.com/us/detained-americans-in-north-korea-seek-us-help-in-interviews-with-cnn

 

Three Americans detained in North Korea were allowed to appeal for U.S. government aid on Monday. The method? Through rare, individualized interviews conducted set up by the North Korean government. The three men - Jeffrey Fowle, Matthew Miller, and Kenneth Bae - have stated that they have been treated humanely, even well, yet they are anxiously awaiting trial in Pyongyang. In response, the U.S. government has urged Pyongyang to release the men with no avail. The two governments have no diplomatic ties and are communicating via the Swedish embassy. Additionally, the two countries have been at odds over nuclear weapons and other issues for a while.

 

While North Korea conducting interviews, essentially with the world, is a good sign - there is still a lot of progress in terms of the relationship between North Korea and the United States. Also, it's unclear to what extent the men were being "filtered." The rooms where the interviews were held were filled with North Koreans watching them. Since this event was today, it will be interesting to continue following what happens in the days ahead.