The New Zealand Labour Party is disappointed by the news out of North Korea late yesterday evening. It has since emerged that the two New Zealand citizens caught up in the diplomatic drama are in fact two students - Ella Jacobson and Hahana Tuatini.

Yesterday, both New Zealanders were found guilty on charges of crimes against the North Korean state, amongst other things. Both were charged with 35 years of hard labour.

Given the extreme circumstances associated with these arrests and the fact that a major television network was hijacked by the North Korean regime in order to promote this situation, we do not believe that these two New Zealanders were subject to justice in good faith. Rather, we believe that these two women are being used as bargaining chips by the North Korean government.

We are also particularly concerned with the welfare of Ms Tuatini, who showed clear resistance against her conviction.

Labour calls on the New Zealand Government to do all within its power to ensure that these two New Zealand citizens are returned home safely. We offer all of our resources to the government to assist with this.

To the family and friends of these two New Zealanders back home, I say this - we stand with you through this ordeal. We feel your pain and desperation, and acknowledge how you must be feeling through what is a frightening situation. But we also want you to know that we will do everything within our power to ensure the safe return of your daughters, your sisters, your friends. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Ella and Hahana are back home safely soon.

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u/dyljam

Co-Deputy Leader

New Zealand Labour Party