N Korea releases American reporters

12 April 2012

Two US reporters held in North Korea's notorious labour camps are to be released following the intervention of former president Bill Clinton.

Mr Clinton met with Kim Jong Il during a surprise visit to the secretive Asian state, after which Mr Kim pardoned Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32.

The two journalists, who work for former vice president Al Gore's Current TV, had been serving sentences of 12 years' "reform through labour" after being convicted of illegal entry and "hostile acts".

The announcement that they had been pardoned was made through North Korea's official state media.

The Korean Central News Agency had earlier reported that Mr Clinton and Mr Kim shared "a wide ranging exchange of views" during a meeting.

It added that the former US head of state "courteously" conveyed a message from President Barack Obama.

But the White House dismissed claims that Mr Clinton had delivered a personal message on behalf of Mr Obama.

In a brief statement, Robert Gibbs, the president's press secretary said: "While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment.

"We do not want to jeopardise the success of former President Clinton's mission."

His landmark visit, which was not announced in advance by North Korea or the US, comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Pyongyang, foes during the Korean War of the 1950s, over the regime's nuclear programme.

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