">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
US journalists to go on trial in NKorea
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
US journalists to go on trial in NKorea
AFP - Wednesday, June 3
SEOUL (AFP) - - Two US women journalists will go on trial in North Korea's highest court Thursday on charges that could send them to a labour camp, amid growing international tensions sparked by Pyongyang's nuclear test.
ADVERTISEMENT
The pair were detained by North Korean border guards on March 17 along the narrow Tumen River which marks the border with China, while researching a story about refugees fleeing the hardline communist state.
Pyongyang has said they will face trial for "hostile acts" and illegally entering the country, with the hearing to be held "on the basis of the confirmed crimes committed by them."
South Korean analysts say "hostile acts" are punishable by a minimum five years' detention and hard labour.
The families of Euna Lee and Laura Ling Monday broke their long silence to appeal for clemency and to urge the two governments not to link the case to the nuclear standoff.
The reporters, who work for California-based Current TV co-founded by former vice president Al Gore, were allowed to phone their families in the US a week ago.
"We had not heard their voices in over two and a half months," said Ling's sister Lisa. "They are very scared -- they're very, very scared.
"Now is the time to try and urge both governments to communicate," Lisa told NBC's "The Today Show".
Both detainees are married and Lee has a four-year-old daughter.
Lisa Ling said Laura had a recurring ulcer but was being allowed to take medication.
Sweden's ambassador to Pyongyang Mats Foyer, who represents US interests in the absence of diplomatic relations, met the pair Monday for the third time since they were detained.
Laura Ling, in a letter to her sister released on the social networking website Facebook, said she had "cried so much" during her imprisonment but was gradually feeling better.
"I try very hard to think about positive things, but sometimes it is hard to," she wrote in the letter. The family said the letter, delivered via the Swedish ambassador, was dated May 15.
Ling said some days she was allowed to go outside for fresh air.
"I also sit and meditate. I breathe deeply and think about positive things that have happened in the day," she wrote.
International rights and media freedom groups as well as Western politicians have urged Pyongyang to release the reporters.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the charges they face are "baseless."
Analysts have said Pyongyang may be using the pair as a bargaining chip to open direct talks with Washington, possibly following the lead set by Tehran.
US-born reporter Roxana Saberi walked free from an Iranian jail last month after a court reduced her eight-year prison term for spying to a two-year suspended sentence.
But relations between Washington and Pyongyang have worsened in recent weeks, with the North firing a long-range rocket on April 5 despite international appeals to refrain.
After the United Nations Security Council punished the launch by tightening sanctions, the North responded on May 25 with its second nuclear test.
It has also renounced the armistice on the Korean peninsula and is said to be preparing to test medium-range missiles and a long-range Taepodong-2.
Supporters of the two reporters plan rallies in Washington and other US cities late Wednesday to coincide with the trial.
A support group said the rallies would make the point that if the journalists entered North Korea, it would have been by accident and they were ready to apologise.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Pregnant Briton gets life on Laos drug chargeAFP - Thursday, June 4
HIV/AIDS cases soar in Indonesia: officialAFP - Thursday, June 4
S.Korean president rejects prosecutor's resignationAFP - Thursday, June 4
Myanmar's Suu Kyi challenges witness banAFP - Thursday, June 4
China clamps down ahead of Tiananmen anniversaryAFP - Thursday, June 4
Enlarge Photo
US journalists to go on trial in NKorea
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Pandemic warnings as swine flu spreads to Africa
World 'getting closer' to swine flu pandemic: WHO
Last Titanic survivor dies in England
Talent judge defends singing sensation Boyle
Ancient eruption 'killed off world's sea life'
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 3 June 2009 Defiant Ahmadinejad will 'hold firm' against world pressure
Satellite poop trail leads way to penguins
Retrieving Air France black box will be epic task
| International
|
Dozens arrested in restive Iranian city
North Korea's Kim moves to anoint youngest son as heir
| International
|
World 'getting closer' to swine flu pandemic: WHO
Sarkozy to meet Iranian FM on nuclear standoff
'Space headaches' a problem for astronauts: report
Sunni rebels claim Iran mosque bombing: SITE
Ryanair swings into annual net loss
GM to sell Hummer
Mexico drug arrests leave prisons crowded, violent
| International
|
Conservative rival gains ground in Iran
Netanyahu rejects US calls for settlement freeze
WHO official says world edging towards pandemic
| International
|
GM China 'still expanding' despite parent's woes
China's Hu gives Geithner vote of confidence
Honduras heaps pressure on US to let Cuba back in OAS
China, Japan 'to cooperate over crisis'
Palm's Pre: a star is born?
| Technology
|
Obama launches maiden Middle East mission
India's mobile subscriber base crosses 400m
Prince Charles to attend D-Day ceremonies in France
Sony lifts curtain on tinier PSP games device
| Technology
|
US, China to start new talks in July: Geithner
Microsoft Windows 7 to hit market in October
| Technology
|
GM says 'business as usual' at SE Asia operations
Obama vows to get Mideast talks back on track
Nintendo ships over 15 million Wii Fit since launch
| Technology
|
Nicole Kidman rubbishes Vietnam adoption claim
US should respect settlement deals: Israel minister
T-Mobile eyes next Android device for early summer
| Technology
|
China fund may increase stake in Morgan Stanley
Netbooks centre stage at Taipei trade fair
AmCham welcomes proposed Taiwan-China trade pact
Indian oil company plans shares sale
S.Korea's Woori, KB consider share sales
Key GM Daewoo creditor KDB cautious about fresh aid
GM China still expanding despite parent's woes
Syrian gays edge gingerly out of the closet
Susan Boyle's brother says singing star worried about career
| Entertainment
|
Officials: Indonesian volcano threatens to erupt
Conan O'Brien gets flying start on Tonight show
| Entertainment
|
Nia Vardalos says life is far from in Ruins
| Entertainment
|
McCartney's Ex Heather Mills' False Leg Falls Off At Supermarket
Nude Madonna And Guy Ritchie Painting Fails To Sell At Auction
Civilian deaths jeopardize Afghan war effort: US
Brazil, France hunt for answers in Air France crash
Brazil navy races to pull Air France wreck from sea
| International
|
Windows 7 available in October: Microsoft
Rebels kill one in bus attack in southeast Iran
Paris mayor urges big cities to act on climate change
US auto sales appear to stabilize in May
Yemeni prisoner in Guantanamo found dead: U.S.
| International
|
Barak urges U.S. to rethink settlement stand
Pandemic warnings as swine flu spreads to Africa
China ups security ahead of Tiananmen anniversary
| International
|
Prince Charles defuses Franco-British D-Day dispute
US soldier among 51 killed in Afghanistan
Obama to hear Saudi worries on Iran, discuss oil
| International
|
U.S. general vows to curb Afghan civilian casualties
| International
|
GM to sell Hummer, bankruptcy steps cleared
Qaeda in North Africa says killed British hostage
| International
|
Turkey holds man suspected of murder of 8 relatives
North Korea preparing long-range missile launch
| International
|
Gunman kills man and wounds another in Jerusalem
Paris mayor urges big cities to act on climate change
Pregnant Briton's drug trial to start in Laos
Obama launches maiden Middle East mission
Chinese web users demonstrate their strength
New Zealand minister quits over criminal probe
Clinton battles pressure on Cuba
Sony lifts curtain on new PSP
| Technology
|
US drones to spy on NKorea: general
US Congress urges China to free Tiananmen inmates
Clinton says no consensus on Cuba at Americas meet
Palm's Pre: a star is born?
| Technology
|
Japan envoy apologizes to aging Bataan victims
Yemeni inmate found dead at Guantanamo prison: US
Opera releases first test version of new browser
| Technology
|
In world first, Chinese researchers create pig stem cells
Al-Qaeda number two slams Obama visit to Egypt
Time on social networks almost doubles in a year
| Technology
|
Ponting poise too much for New Zealand
Microsoft Windows 7 to hit market in October
| Technology
|
Verizon offers pay-as-you-go hosting service
| Technology
|
Tiananmen leader urges US to be firm
Pakistan orders release of cleric linked to Mumbai attacks
Oracle CEO wants more Java on netbooks, devices
| Technology
|
Cambridge student cleared over Chinese PM shoe-throwing
TiVo prevails in long-running EchoStar patent case
| Technology
|
Tibco to offer cloud computing software
| Technology
|
US vows 'aggressive' stance on trade with China
Taiwan dollar firms, but c.bank, stocks limit gains
Japan Airlines likely to get one-bln-dlr loan
S.Korea govt bonds rebound on weaker shares
Korea Hot Stocks
Current account deficit is NZ Achilles Heel-Fitch
US improves ability to hit N.Korean missiles -general
Seoul shares open up on autos, but banks decline
S.Korea fin min says export conditions worsening
NZ new car registrations rebound in May
Paris Hilton's TV hunt for pal to hit Dubai
Indonesian model alleges abuse by Malaysian prince
Sony unveils new moves at E3
Baron Cohen MTV landing was staged, writer says
| Entertainment
|
Nintendo builds on winning formula at E3
Susan Boyle worried about career: brother
| Entertainment
|
Cher, Bono heirs sue Universal Music over royalties
| Entertainment
|
Peruvian prostitutes call for fair treatment
Nyman music made available to indie filmmakers
| Entertainment
|
French Lacroix fashion house is put in administration
French wine body says exports to fall 20% in 2009
Disney signs up for more 'Hannah Montana'
Kidnap in Fox Searchlight's sights
| Entertainment
|
China leaps from pariah to power after Tiananmen
Oscar-winning director sees film's positive impact
| Entertainment
|
Winnie-the-Pooh floats back on screens in 2011
Musicians reflect on Bo Diddley's influence
| Entertainment
|
Paris Hilton's TV hunt for pal to hit Dubai
Novelist explores psychotic side in memoirs
| Entertainment
|
Record economic contraction in eurozone confirmed
Pakistan students missing after Taliban kidnap
Sony unveils new PSP Go
Al Qaeda kills British hostage in Mali
| International
|
British hostage executed by Islamists in Mali
Bomb kills NATO soldier in Afghanistan
Second UK cabinet minister quits over expenses scandal
| International
|
'Strong reason to believe' Briton killed by Al-Qaeda: PM
Pakistanis aim to kill leaders of Taliban in Swat
| International
|
British PM in crisis ahead of European, local polls
South Africa's Zuma sets help for poor as priority
| International
|
Lao court jails pregnant Briton for life
| International
|
Australia class hanging has authorities seeing red
| International
|
Israel says does not plan to bomb Iran
| International
|
Sony unveils new PSP Go
Microsoft unveils motion control for Xbox 360
SLanka holds victory parade to mark Tigers' defeat
US journalists to go on trial in NKorea
Nokia popularity fading among teens: survey
| Technology
|
China ups security ahead of Tiananmen anniversary
Oracle CEO wants more Java on netbooks, devices
| Technology
|
North Korea reportedly assembling long-range missile
China, Japan to team up on development projects
Carlsberg eyes Asia expansion: report
NZ dollar dips but supported close to 8-month high
Seoul shares firm as shipbuilders rise; banks fall
Japan's Komatsu to make hybrid excavators in China
AIG cuts asking price for Taiwan unit -paper
Pakistan's 2009/10 budget
Celebrity Indian blogger publishes first novel
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights