North Korea has decided to indict Laura Ling and Euna Lee, the two American journalists detained five weeks ago at the China/North Korea border on charges of illegally entering the country and committing "hostile acts": North Korea Decides to Indict 2 U.S. Reporters
According to KCNA, North Korea's state-run news agency, the government has completed its investigation and has formally decided to put them on trial based on "confirmed criminal data." However, it did not specify what actual charges the two will face. More here: 2 US journalists to be tried in North Korea.
Tensions between North Korea and the United States are high, after the North launched a long-range rocket on April 5. Throw in the arrest of these two journalists, and it's full-fledged mess. North Korea likely to use the trial as political leverage against the United States.
Meanwhile, Laura Ling and Euna Lee are caught in the middle of a political standoff between Pyongyang and Washington. Amnesty International has said it doubted that they will receive a fair trial, given the North Korean judicial system's lack of independence or transparency. I continue to pray for their safe return.
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