North Korea will put the two U.S. journalists on trial on June 4 according to the Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA).
KCNA announced on Thursday, “The Central Court of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea decided to try (the) American journalists on June 4th according to the indictment of the competent organ.” However, it has not released their charges, conditions or any other details.
On March 31, the KCNA revealed their suspicions with the results of interim findings, “Suspicion of illegal entrance and hostile activities was confirmed by the evidence and the statements of the suspects.”
In the same way as US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi was released after judgment, some predict that the two journalists may be released following the confirmation of their guilt at trial.
Under Clause 69, Article 3 of the Penal Code, in the case of anti-Chosun nation hostility crimes, standard punishment is between five and ten years of labor reeducation.
The two have not been heard from in some considerable time. Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said on the 11th at a daily press briefing, “Since March 30th, the Swedish Embassy has not been – not had access to her. But I’m not aware of any kind of reasons that have been given to us as to why they’re denying the consular access, which, of course, is contrary to the Vienna Convention.”
Despite that, the two journalists’ families have reportedly met with officials from the U.S. Department of State and received news that one of the two is in a bad state of health.
