This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8015730.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
US women 'face North Korea trial' US women 'face North Korea trial'
(about 4 hours later)
Two US journalists arrested by North Korea near its border with China are to face trial, North Korea's state media has reported.Two US journalists arrested by North Korea near its border with China are to face trial, North Korea's state media has reported.
Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, who work for Current TV, were detained on 17 March.Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, who work for Current TV, were detained on 17 March.
The North said it had decided to charge the women after completing an inquiry into their "crimes" - although the precise charges remain unclear.The North said it had decided to charge the women after completing an inquiry into their "crimes" - although the precise charges remain unclear.
The North says the two women illegally crossed the border from China.The North says the two women illegally crossed the border from China.
"Our related agency has decided to turn the US reporters over for trial based on findings of their crimes," KCNA reported."Our related agency has decided to turn the US reporters over for trial based on findings of their crimes," KCNA reported.
State media announced earlier this month that it would put the reporters on trial for "hostile acts" and illegally entering the country.State media announced earlier this month that it would put the reporters on trial for "hostile acts" and illegally entering the country.
The latest announcement appears to indicate an investigation has been completed to support formal charges, although what those charges are precisely remains unclear.The latest announcement appears to indicate an investigation has been completed to support formal charges, although what those charges are precisely remains unclear.
The Associated Press says the women could face up to five years in prison if convicted of espionage.The Associated Press says the women could face up to five years in prison if convicted of espionage.
'Treated well''Treated well'
The journalists are believed to have been on the Chinese side of the border when North Korean guards arrested them and took them back to North Korea, although the North disputes this.The journalists are believed to have been on the Chinese side of the border when North Korean guards arrested them and took them back to North Korea, although the North disputes this.
The UN unanimously condemned North Korea's rocket launch
They were working on a story about refugees fleeing the hard line communist North.They were working on a story about refugees fleeing the hard line communist North.
Washington had initially accepted media reports that the two were being interrogated for espionage, but later said they understood the two were being investigated for illegal entry of North Korea.Washington had initially accepted media reports that the two were being interrogated for espionage, but later said they understood the two were being investigated for illegal entry of North Korea.
The US has no diplomatic representation in the North so has asked Swedish diplomats in North Korea to request access to the reporters.The US has no diplomatic representation in the North so has asked Swedish diplomats in North Korea to request access to the reporters.
US state department spokesman Robert Wood said recently that the North had assured the US the detainees would be "well-treated".US state department spokesman Robert Wood said recently that the North had assured the US the detainees would be "well-treated".
Mr Wood has repeatedly said the state department is trying to avoid commenting too much on the case in order to increase chances of a diplomatic negotiation to secure their release.Mr Wood has repeatedly said the state department is trying to avoid commenting too much on the case in order to increase chances of a diplomatic negotiation to secure their release.
Tensions
North Korea has angered the international community in recent weeks after launching a rocket which it says was a communications satellite but which many other nations believe was a long-range missile test.
Pyongyang was the subject of UN censure after its launch - the Security Council issued a statement unanimously condemning the action.
In response, North Korea expelled inspectors of its nuclear programmes and threatened to re-start the Yongbyon reactor.
Last year, six-party talks had progressed towards a shut-down of the plant in return for international aid to the impoverished country.
But negotiations faltered over US concerns about verifying the extent of the North's nuclear programme.
Relations have also been tense across the border between North and South Korea, with the North refusing this week to release a South Korean worker.Relations have also been tense across the border between North and South Korea, with the North refusing this week to release a South Korean worker.
The BBC's John Sudworth, in Seoul, says there are concerns that the two reporters could be used by North Korea as bargaining chips at a time of heightened tension.The BBC's John Sudworth, in Seoul, says there are concerns that the two reporters could be used by North Korea as bargaining chips at a time of heightened tension.
Russia's foreign minister is visiting the North Korean capital Pyongyang this week in an effort to restart talks, which include China, Japan, Russia, the US and North and South Korea.