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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mercy plea for held US reporters | Mercy plea for held US reporters |
| (2 days later) | |
| The families of two US journalists held in North Korea have pleaded with the authorities there to set the pair free. | The families of two US journalists held in North Korea have pleaded with the authorities there to set the pair free. |
| In a statement, relatives of Euna Lee and Laura Ling said reports that the women had been sentenced to 12 years in a labour camp were "devastating". | In a statement, relatives of Euna Lee and Laura Ling said reports that the women had been sentenced to 12 years in a labour camp were "devastating". |
| They were convicted of entering the North illegally while filming at the Chinese border in March. | They were convicted of entering the North illegally while filming at the Chinese border in March. |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was "pursuing every possible approach" to free the women. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was "pursuing every possible approach" to free the women. |
| Their trial was held amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme, but Mrs Clinton stressed that the two issues were "entirely separate". | Their trial was held amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme, but Mrs Clinton stressed that the two issues were "entirely separate". |
| 'Show compassion' | 'Show compassion' |
| Hillary Clinton called for the journalists to be released immediately | Hillary Clinton called for the journalists to be released immediately |
| The families of Ms Ling and Ms Lee said they were worried about the "mental state and wellbeing" of the two women. | The families of Ms Ling and Ms Lee said they were worried about the "mental state and wellbeing" of the two women. |
| In a joint statement, the families said: "We ask the government of North Korea to show compassion and grant Laura and Euna clemency and allow them to return home to their families. | In a joint statement, the families said: "We ask the government of North Korea to show compassion and grant Laura and Euna clemency and allow them to return home to their families. |
| "We remain hopeful that the governments of the United States and North Korea can come to an agreement that will result in the release of the girls." | "We remain hopeful that the governments of the United States and North Korea can come to an agreement that will result in the release of the girls." |
| href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/7952129.stm">Glimpse into secretive state | |
| The statement said Ms Ling suffered from an ulcer and that Ms Lee had a four-year-old daughter who was "displaying signs of anguish". | The statement said Ms Ling suffered from an ulcer and that Ms Lee had a four-year-old daughter who was "displaying signs of anguish". |
| "We believe that the three months they have already spent under arrest with little communication with their families is long enough," the statement said. | "We believe that the three months they have already spent under arrest with little communication with their families is long enough," the statement said. |
| After a short trial, the North's official news agency KCNA said on Monday that the women had committed a "grave crime" and would be sentenced to 12 years of "reform through labour". | After a short trial, the North's official news agency KCNA said on Monday that the women had committed a "grave crime" and would be sentenced to 12 years of "reform through labour". |
| KCNA gave no further details. | KCNA gave no further details. |
| Bargaining chip? | Bargaining chip? |
| The pair 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. | The pair 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 did not stray over the border but were seized by North Korean border guards who crossed into Chinese territory. | Some reports have suggested that the women did not stray over the border but were seized by North Korean border guards who crossed into Chinese territory. |
| The pair have been held in detention since their arrest. | The pair have been held in detention since their arrest. |
| Tensions have increased in the region since North Korea conducted a nuclear test in May and then test-fired several missiles. | Tensions have increased in the region since North Korea conducted a nuclear test in May and then test-fired several missiles. |
| Another long-range missile test is believed to be planned for later this month. | Another long-range missile test is believed to be planned for later this month. |
| The UN Security Council is discussing tightening sanctions against Pyongyang, and Mrs Clinton said on Sunday that the US was considering reinstating North Korea in its list of state sponsors of terrorism. | The UN Security Council is discussing tightening sanctions against Pyongyang, and Mrs Clinton said on Sunday that the US was considering reinstating North Korea in its list of state sponsors of terrorism. |
| Analysts believe the North may try to use the women as a bargaining chip in negotiations over their nuclear programme. | Analysts believe the North may try to use the women as a bargaining chip in negotiations over their nuclear programme. |