अमरीका के विदेश मंत्रालय ने कहा है कि वह उन दो अमरीकी पत्रकारों के भविष्य को लेकर बहुत चिंतित है जिन्हें उत्तर कोरिया में देश के ख़िलाफ़ जघन्य अपराधों का दोषी पाया गया है. उन्हें मार्च में उत्तर कोरियाई सीमा प्रहरियों ने गिरफ़्तार किया था.

रिपोर्ट सुनिए

American diplomats say they are using all possible channels to release the two journalists, but the reality is it's not going to be easy. The United States and North Korea don't have diplomatic relations. Messages are passed using officials from third countries. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il has wanted direct talks with the United States for years, and may use the two Americans, Euna Lee and Laura Ling as 'bargaining chips' to try to win concessions from Washington.

Guards from the North arrested the pair while they were working near the country's border with China on March 17th. They have now been convicted of hostile acts against the country, and entering the North illegally. They face the prospect of being sent to one of the North's prison camps. The US State Department has described conditions in these institutions as 'harsh' and 'life-threatening'.

Before the verdicts came in, the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton had described the charges against the two women as 'baseless' and said they should be allowed to return home. She is thought to be exploring the possibility of sending an envoy to try to secure their release. There's been speculation in recent days that the former US vice president Al Gore might travel to Pyongyang. He's the co-founder of the media company the two women work for.

Chris Hogg, BBC News, Seoul

आवाज़ सुनिए

all possible channels
बातचीत के सभी रास्ते

diplomatic relations
कूटनयिक संबंध

direct talks
सीधी बातचीत

bargaining chips
समझौते के लिए कोई सौदा करना

win concessions
रियायत देना

convicted of hostile acts
ऐसी कार्रवाइयों का दोषी जिससे किसी देश को नुक़सान पहुँचे

harsh
ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा कड़ी

life-threatening
जीवन के लिए ख़तरनाक

baseless
निराधार, बेबुनियाद

an envoy
किसी देश की ओर से आया हुआ दूत