U.S. Journalists' 'Grave Crime' Leads to North Korean Prison

SEOUL, June 8, 2009 |— -- The families of U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee released a statement Monday pleading with the government of North Korea to "show compassion" and grant the two women clemency.

Earlier in the day,North Korea sentenced the two American journalists to 12 years in a labor camp, raising the stakes in its growing confrontation with the United States.

The families of Ling and Lee said they were "shocked and devastated by the outcome their trial."

"We don't know what really happened on March 17 [the day the two were arrested in North Korea]," the statement read. "But if they wandered across the border without permission, we apologize on their behalf and we are certain that they have also apologized."

The statement stressed the family's deep concern for Lee and Ling's physical and emotional health. Laura Lee is said to suffer from an ulcer and Euna Ling's 4-year-old daughter is showing "signs of anguish" over her mother's long absence.

The North's highest Central Court held a five-day trial of Euna Lee and Laura Ling from June 4, finding them guilty of committing "grave crime" against their nation and illegal border crossing, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Under North Korean law, the Central Court decision is final and appeals are not allowed.

The two journalists, reporters for the San Francisco-based Current TV founded by former Vice President Al Gore, were arrested at the northern border between North Korea and China in March while covering a story on North Korean refugees in China and human trafficking.