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| North Korea tries US journalists | North Korea tries US journalists |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Two US journalists are reported to have gone on trial in North Korea, on charges of committing "hostile acts". | Two US journalists are reported to have gone on trial in North Korea, on charges of committing "hostile acts". |
| Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, were arrested on 17 March after allegedly crossing into North Korea from China. | Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, were arrested on 17 March after allegedly crossing into North Korea from China. |
| The US has dismissed the charges as "baseless" and said the two women should be released immediately. | The US has dismissed the charges as "baseless" and said the two women should be released immediately. |
| The trial comes amid growing tensions in the region following North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests. | The trial comes amid growing tensions in the region following North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests. |
| In a new sign of friction, a North Korean patrol boat is reported to have briefly entered South Korean waters. | In a new sign of friction, a North Korean patrol boat is reported to have briefly entered South Korean waters. |
| The South's Yonhap news agency said the vessel crossed the disputed maritime border on Thursday, but retreated when issued with a verbal warning. | The South's Yonhap news agency said the vessel crossed the disputed maritime border on Thursday, but retreated when issued with a verbal warning. |
| James Steinberg (left) said the China-N Korea relationship had cooled | |
| Meanwhile US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said China's relationship with North Korea seems to have cooled recently, since Pyongyang's latest nuclear test. | Meanwhile US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said China's relationship with North Korea seems to have cooled recently, since Pyongyang's latest nuclear test. |
| During a meeting with the South Korean president in Seoul, Mr Steinberg said Pyongyang was failing to read changes in Beijing's position. | During a meeting with the South Korean president in Seoul, Mr Steinberg said Pyongyang was failing to read changes in Beijing's position. |
| "It would be a mistake for the North to believe that it can obtain what it wants through negotiations after staging provocative acts," he said. | "It would be a mistake for the North to believe that it can obtain what it wants through negotiations after staging provocative acts," he said. |
| Appeal for clemency | Appeal for clemency |
| Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested by North Korean guards while working on the China-North Korea border on a story about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV. | Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested by North Korean guards while working on the China-North Korea border on a story about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV. |
| Some reports have suggested that the women were arrested while on Chinese soil, but Pyongyang's state media says they had illegally entered North Korea. | Some reports have suggested that the women were arrested while on Chinese soil, but Pyongyang's state media says they had illegally entered North Korea. |
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| Protesters in Seoul demonstrate against the trial of two journalists in North Korea | |
| North Korea said the trial would begin at 0600 GMT and the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reports that the hearing has now begun, although there has been no confirmation from Pyongyang. | North Korea said the trial would begin at 0600 GMT and the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reports that the hearing has now begun, although there has been no confirmation from Pyongyang. |
| FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | |
| If the women are found guilty, analysts say they face at least five years detention with hard labour in a North Korean prison camp. | If the women are found guilty, analysts say they face at least five years detention with hard labour in a North Korean prison camp. |
| The women's families have appealed for clemency and asked North Korea and the United States not to link the case to the current diplomatic standoff between them. | The women's families have appealed for clemency and asked North Korea and the United States not to link the case to the current diplomatic standoff between them. |
| But some analysts have suggested that a guilty verdict is almost certain. | But some analysts have suggested that a guilty verdict is almost certain. |
| Amnesty International has said it is highly unlikely the two women will face a fair trial because of the judicial system's lack of independence or transparency. | Amnesty International has said it is highly unlikely the two women will face a fair trial because of the judicial system's lack of independence or transparency. |