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N Korea to try reporters in June | N Korea to try reporters in June |
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Two US journalists arrested by North Korea near its border with China will face trial on 4 June, North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency reports. | Two US journalists arrested by North Korea near its border with China will face trial on 4 June, North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency reports. |
Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, are charged with illegal entry after allegedly crossing from China and "hostile acts". | Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, are charged with illegal entry after allegedly crossing from China and "hostile acts". |
Some reports have suggested that they were arrested while on Chinese soil. | Some reports have suggested that they were arrested while on Chinese soil. |
The US welcomed news of the trial date but said the charges against them were "baseless" and they should be freed. | The US welcomed news of the trial date but said the charges against them were "baseless" and they should be freed. |
The two, who were working for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV, were doing a story about refugees fleeing the communist North. | The two, who were working for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV, were doing a story about refugees fleeing the communist North. |
'No incentives' | 'No incentives' |
The official KCNA news agency announced the trial date with a short statement. | The official KCNA news agency announced the trial date with a short statement. |
Hillary Clinton: "We believe that the charges are baseless" | |
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters in Washington that the fact that North Korea had set a trial date was "a signal that there can be... a resolution". | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters in Washington that the fact that North Korea had set a trial date was "a signal that there can be... a resolution". |
But she warned that the US was not interested in "chasing after" North Korea or offering it incentives to return to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme. | But she warned that the US was not interested in "chasing after" North Korea or offering it incentives to return to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme. |
Washington has no diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, and the Swedish embassy has been acting on its behalf. | Washington has no diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, and the Swedish embassy has been acting on its behalf. |
But the last the time the Swedish ambassador was able to see the reporters was on 30 March. | But the last the time the Swedish ambassador was able to see the reporters was on 30 March. |
Reporters Without Borders, a group that campaigns for media freedom, says the two journalists could face up to 10 years of forced labour if convicted of "hostile acts". | Reporters Without Borders, a group that campaigns for media freedom, says the two journalists could face up to 10 years of forced labour if convicted of "hostile acts". |
Amnesty International has said it is highly unlikely the two women will face a fair trial because of the judicial system's lack of independence or transparency. | Amnesty International has said it is highly unlikely the two women will face a fair trial because of the judicial system's lack of independence or transparency. |