Trial Begins for 2 American Journalists in N. Korea

Laura Ling and Euna Lee, American reporters for Current TV, go on trial today for allegedly entering into North Korean territory with hostile intent, and could face up to 10 years of hard labor if they are convicted. Via CNN:

(CNN) -- Two U.S. journalists detained in North Korea were to go on trial Thursday, North Korean state media said.
Euna Lee has been in North Korean custody since March, when she and another reporter were detained.

The journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were reporting on the plight of North Korean defectors living along the China-North Korea border when they were taken into custody on March 17.

Ling and Lee are reporters for California-based Current TV, a media venture of former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

North Korea has charged the reporters with illegal entry into the country and hostile acts.

The trial was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Thursday, (2 a.m. ET), according to the state-run news agency KCNA.

Analysts have said that the trial could be very short and that sentences could be delivered Thursday.

The women could face years in labor camps if convicted.

The US has maintained that the two women were on the Chinese side of the border and were dragged across by North Korean border guards.

Please continue to pray for their safety and for the success of diplomatic efforts underway to gain their release.

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