‘Somewhere Inside’ by Laura and Lisa Ling

There is an ethical boundary for journalists between covering a story and becoming part of one.

But on March 17, 2009, Laura Ling and fellow journalist Euna Lee became the subjects of their own story while shooting footage in China for a documentary about North Koreans who were defecting to China. Laura and Euna were unwittingly led by a supposedly safe “guide” onto North Korean soil, where they were captured by border soldiers.

What would follow would be months of being separated and placed in captivity by a hostile nation which seemed determined to make examples of the two women. Laura and Euna would be the first Americans to go through a trial and be convicted of trespassing and hostile acts by the North Korean government, and be sentenced to 12 years of hard labor.

Laura Ling’s sister, Lisa Ling (former co-host of “The View” and a current correspondent for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and National Geographic Channel), upon hearing of her sister’s arrest, began a campaign to bring her beloved sibling home. She would call on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, Sen. John Kerry, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for any help they might offer in the negotiations for Laura and Euna’s pardon and release.

Ultimately it would be former President Bill Clinton who would ride to the rescue. North Korean President Kim Jong Il was a big fan of President Clinton and agreed to the release of the prisoners if he could meet with the former president.

“Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home” tells the story of Laura’s ordeal and Lisa’s massive efforts through the voices of the sisters. Laura describes her time in captivity, how frightened she was, how the guards and interpreters assigned to her would take on more friendly characteristics, but how terrified she was to be sent to a labor camp.
Lisa tells of her family’s desperate attempts to find someone, anyone, who could help them, and the emotional and heartbreaking terror of not knowing what was happening thousands of miles away.

This book is a fascinating account of the events that unfolded, but it's also a touching look at the Ling sisters’ fierce loyalty to each other and the bond that would see them through months of upheaval.