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North Korea jails US journalists North Korea jails US journalists
(30 minutes later)
A court in North Korea has sentenced two US journalists to 12 years' hard labour, state media say.A court in North Korea has sentenced two US journalists to 12 years' hard labour, state media say.
Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, were found guilty of "hostile acts" and illegal entry into the communist state.Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, were found guilty of "hostile acts" and illegal entry into the communist state.
They were arrested in March after allegedly crossing into North Korea from China.They were arrested in March after allegedly crossing into North Korea from China.
The trial comes amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme which is prompting US-led sanctions.The trial comes amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme which is prompting US-led sanctions.
"The trial confirmed the grave crime they (the reporters) committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing as they had already been indicted and sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labour," state-run KCNA news agency said in a brief report."The trial confirmed the grave crime they (the reporters) committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing as they had already been indicted and sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labour," state-run KCNA news agency said in a brief report.
The news agency gave no further details.The news agency gave no further details.
Clemency appeal Outside observers were not allowed to witness the hearing at Pyongyang's court.
Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested by North Korean guards while working on the China-North Korea border on a story about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV. The verdict means that the journalists face the prospect of spending years in one of the North's prison camps, where conditions are reported to be extremely harsh, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Seoul says.
'Bargaining chips'
Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested by North Korean guards on 17 March while working on the China-North Korea border on a story about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV.
Some reports have suggested that the women were held while on Chinese soil, but Pyongyang's state media say they had illegally entered North Korea.Some reports have suggested that the women were held while on Chinese soil, but Pyongyang's state media say they had illegally entered North Korea.
The pair have been held in detention since their arrest.
There are fears they will now be used as "bargaining chips" by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in his efforts to win concessions from Washington, our correspondent says.
The women's families have appealed for clemency and asked Pyongyang and Washington not to link the case to the current diplomatic stand-off between them.The women's families have appealed for clemency and asked Pyongyang and Washington not to link the case to the current diplomatic stand-off between them.