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.

Following the North's announcement, White House deputy spokesman William Burton released a statement saying President Barack Obama is "deeply concerned" over the sentencing of the two journalists and is engaged through all possible channels to bring forth their release.

Relations between the two countries have been strained as North Korea faces U.N. sanctions for launching a long-range missile in early April and an underground nuclear test last month, followed by half a dozen short- and mid-range missile tests. Intelligence reports show that they are preparing to test-launch another long-range missile - an intercontinental ballistic missile - that could reach as far as Alaska.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday that the United States is considering putting North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Today, North Korea banned ships from waters off a major portion of its east coast for the next 20 days, implying more missile tests are to come.

Experts in Seoul say the sentence for Lee and Ling are harsher than expected. According to North Korean criminal law, charges for hostile activities or espionage usually carry a sentence between five to 10 years in labor camps.

Journalists Being Used?

North Korea watchers say Pyongyang is using the journalists as a negotiating tool and will likely grant them early release depending on the progress of talks with the United States.

"The severity of the sentence reflects the desire of the regime to use the women as bargaining chips," said Brian Myers, an expert in North Korean culture and professor at Dong Seo University. "The detention of these two journalists is ultimately aimed at bolstering the country's pride than securing some sort of financial gain."

The United States has repeatedly turned down North Korea's demands for bilateral talks and instead discussed the disablement of Pyongyang's nuclear programs in return for international aid only through the six-party framework that includes South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.

"There is no way North Korea will let this card go to waste -- especially with the succession under way," said Myung-Sub Han, a lawyer specializing in North Korea and unification law at Lex Professional Corp., referring to reports that Kim Jung-Un, the leader's third son, has been chosen to be the next heir.

What the North Koreans really want is to be recognized as a nuclear power by the United States, and this is crucial in order to sustain their regime, according to Han.

"By the time North Korea ends up granting them a pardon, they would have made their point to the international community. At the same time, the news will be a great propaganda tool telling their people that they have fought against the U.S. and have won," said Yang Moo-Jin, director at The Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.

Many analysts say the ball is now in the U.S. court.

"I think that the regime would welcome a visit from Al Gore. They would be able to present that to their people as an extra sign that the world fears and respects North Korea," Myers said.

But even that may not be enough for the communist state. North Korea watchers expect Pyongyang to demand a higher level official from Washington as a counterpart to cut a deal, with an official letter of apology.