Gore says he’s working to free journalists

Al Gore is working hard behind the scenes to help free two U.S. journalists being held in North Korea, the former Vice President said today.

The two journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, are employees of Current TV, a network in which Gore is a partner.

“I’ve been very deeply involved in this every single day,” Gore said in an interview with CNN’s American Morning. “I have talked extensively and at length on many, many, many occasions with the State Department, with other people who are helping around the world in other governments, and through private intermediaries.”

Gore added that the nature of the North Korean regime makes diplomacy different.

“Because the North Korean government is a little bit different and not really responding to the kinds of public appeals that maybe we’re familiar with when other governments are involved, we’re going about this in the way we think has the very best chance of securing their safety and their early release,” he said.

The former Vice President said that he would travel to North Korea if he thought it would help, but as of now that’s not likely.

“It’s not someplace you just, you know, buy a ticket and show up at the airport,” Gore said. “It doesn’t work that way. It’s a different kind of country.”