Euna Lee

Who is Euna Lee?

Euna Lee is a South Korean-born American journalist who has worked for Current TV since 2005. Lee and fellow journalist Laura Ling were detained in North Korea after they crossed into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from the People's Republic of China without a visa. The United States Government protested the sentences, and implemented diplomatic efforts in order to secure the release of both Lee and Ling. On 4 August 2009 Lee and Ling were pardoned by the North Korean government after a special humanitarian visit by former US President Bill Clinton.

Lee was born and raised in South Korea, and moved to the United States in order to attend Academy of Art University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Broadcasting. She currently attends the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She is married to actor Michael Saldate; they have a daughter, Hana.

On 4 August 2009, former US President Bill Clinton visited North Korea in an attempt to free Lee and fellow journalist Laura Ling. The North Korean government pardoned both Lee and Ling after meeting with Clinton that day. Human rights activists in South Korea accuse Lee and Ling of placing North Korean refugees in danger through their actions.