Laura Ling Names Baby Girl After Bill Clinton

By: Jaywon Choe
Topics: In The News

Laura Ling, right front, thanks former President Bill Clinton for his assistance in the release of herself and fellow journalist Euna Lee, right.

(Credit: (AP Photo/David Zentz))

Laura Ling told CBS News Chief Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged" last Friday that while imprisoned in North Korea she remembered thinking that she would never be able start a family.

But last night, nearly a year removed from her capture, Ling and her husband, Iain Clayton, celebrated the birth of their first child. And according to People Magazine, as a tribute to former president Bill Clinton and his work in getting the journalist freed, the couple named the baby girl Li Jefferson Clayton. Jefferson is Bill Clinton's middle name.

According to People, the baby's first name is a tribute to Ling's sister Lisa, who first reached out to Mr. Clinton.

Laura Ling said on "Washington Unplugged" that she and her family are forever indebted to Mr. Clinton, who flew to North Korea and met with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to negotiate a release.

"My family and I refer to him as our rescuer-in-chief," she said. "We are so grateful because it was an unpredictable mission into this very secretive society."

She told People that, "He has checked in on me several times to see how I'm doing, has been so concerned and caring. He's such a wonderful human being."

Ling and fellow journalist Euna Lee were captured by North Korean soldiers while filming a documentary along the China/North Korea border in March of 2009. The two were imprisoned and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in a North Korean prison camp, before being pardoned and eventually released following the visit by Mr. Clinton.

Watch the full "Washington Unplugged" interview with Laura Ling below:

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by vlnewman June 9, 2010 5:56 PM EDT: Jeez people. After reading her book I can see why she named her baby after President Clinton. The journalists hired a guide to help them interview refugees escaping North Korea and their very, VERY strict government. This guy led them across the river and there were no signs saying anything about being on North Korea soil. They knew tho, that the land past the frozen river was No.Korea no matter what the guide was doing. After 2 steps on their soil; they went back across the river back to China side. It was too late. I think they were set up by the guide they trusted. I too would name my baby after the person who saved my life. BTW: I don't care what Pres.Clinton did behind closed doors. Our country was in waaaaaay better shape than it is now.; Reply to this comment


by excop1949 June 4, 2010 11:47 AM EDT: There's no accounting for taste...; Reply to this comment


by dusti1993 June 4, 2010 5:36 AM EDT: ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABUSIVE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON ARE NOTHING BUT IDIOTS . IT'S DUE TO THEM AND THEIR LIKE,THAT THE WORLD IS IN THE BAD SHAPE IT IS IN .; Reply to this comment


by smithejm June 4, 2010 3:46 AM EDT: Ling DingDong and her stupid associate should never have crossed the border "river" into Korea. If she is as bright as the media professes this "journalist" to be, she would have known that this could be dangerous for her personally and put her country in the position of having to beg a crazy dictator for her freedom. She is in a class with the group of morons who were hiking along the Iranian border during a period of hostility.; Reply to this comment


by aiglustizgood June 3, 2010 8:57 PM EDT: How come you never hear of the other hostage .all you hear and read is Ling this and Ling that.So sad the other hostage went through same ordeal and still is shunned by the press...; Reply to this comment


by jd2408 June 3, 2010 8:46 PM EDT: She should have named her baby Miss Mestupid.; Reply to this comment


by LIBERALS-lie June 3, 2010 8:31 PM EDT: will the child grow up to assault interns ?; Reply to this comment

by displeased June 3, 2010 6:36 PM EDT

Displeased: yeah, it would be so tragic to have more American-loving Christians here. Can you imagine? I mean, she'd have to grow up with morals, be STD-free, tell the truth, and work hard!!! Horrors!!!
by AlanW21126p June 3, 2010 6:30 PM EDT

Alan, you mean "work hard" stealing from the poor and middle class? Morals my a$$. You'll find Palin's morals in her pocketbook. And don't even get me going on the so called "loving" Christians.

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by AlanW21126p June 3, 2010 7:28 PM EDT: Displeased = another moral relativist athiest lib. You're also likely divorced, your kids hate you, and you're unemployed. Your kids are ashamed of you, you loser. In other words, you're the cliche libtard.


by displeased June 3, 2010 7:40 PM EDT: The only thing you got right is I'm an atheist. Otherwise, I'm not divorced (or married), I have no kids, and I work two jobs, and I'm an independent (although I tend to lean to the left). I guarantee though, my morals are more aligned than yours.