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N Korea sets trial for US journalists

North Korea yesterday set a June 4 trial date for two detained American journalists, further straining relations soured by its rocket launch and threatened nuclear test.

“The Central Court of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea decided to try American journalists on June 4 according to the indictment of the competent organ,” the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The one-sentence report gave no details of the charges against the two women, who were detained on March 17 along the narrow Tumen River which marks the border with China.

The North has previously said it would go on trial for “hostile acts” and illegally entering the country. Their trial would be held “on the basis of the confirmed crimes committed by them,” it has announced.

Euna Lee, a Korean-­American, and Laura Ling (凌志美), a ­Taiwanese-American, were working on a story about refugees fleeing the hardline communist North.

International rights and media freedom groups have urged Pyongyang to release the reporters, who are employed by Current TV in California. Reporters Without Borders has said they face up to 10 years’ forced labor if convicted of “hostile acts.”

Analysts said Pyongyang was using the pair as a bargaining chip to open direct talks with Washington and may be following the lead set by Tehran.

US-born reporter Roxana Saberi walked free from an Iranian jail on Monday after a court reduced her prison term for spying to a two-year suspended sentence, from the original eight years.

“As Iran did, North Korea may try and release them through diplomatic contacts,” said Cheong Seong-chang of Seoul’s Sejong Institute think tank. “North Korea may use such contacts for discussion on pending issues and demand Washington ease sanctions. It has been using the case as a bargaining chip.”
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