CHICAGO (AP) - An American journalist who was imprisoned in
North Korea for months says she told interrogators she was trying
to overthrow the government in a ploy for mercy.
Laura Ling appeared on Tuesday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey
Show" in her first televised interview since her August release.
Ling told Winfrey she drew suspicion because she worked for
Current TV, a media venture founded by former Vice President Al
Gore. Ling says she was told "the worst could happen" if she
didn't confess. She says it was a "difficult decision" but that
she had to trust it "was the right thing to do."
Ling and journalist Euna Lee were captured at the North
Korea-China border in March 2009. They were convicted of illegal
entry and "hostile acts" but were later pardoned.

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