NKorea jails US journalists for 12 years =3D 2
08 Jun 2009 2:19 PM
Laura Ling and Euna Lee were detained by North Korean border guards on March 17 while researching a story about refugees fleeing the North.
Pyongyang had previously said they would face trial for "hostile acts" as well as illegal entry but never gave details of such acts.
The severe sentences were certain to further fuel tensions with Washington after the North's May 25 nuclear test and its reported plans for another long-range rocket launch.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday the charges against the pair are baseless and they should be allowed to return home.
Analysts have said the women may become pawns in efforts to open direct negotiations with the United States.
