N. Korea sets trial for two U.S. reporters

PYONGYANG, North Korea, May 14 (UPI) -- The United States is concerned about the welfare of two U.S. journalists jailed on charges of entering North Korea illegally, an administration official said.

The journalists -- Korean-American Euna Lee and Chinese-American Laura Ling, both reporters for Current TV -- were arrested by North Korean guards near the Chinese border March 17. North Korean state-run media reported Thursday the two would be tried June 4.

"We hope they can be returned to their families in the United States as soon as possible," U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Thursday. "We're in regular contact with the families of the two journalists."

Kelly said U.S. officials were working diplomatically through the Swedish Embassy to learn more information about the journalists' trial on charges of entering the country illegally and for committing unspecified "hostile acts."

"The Swedish ambassador has not had access to them since March 30," Kelly said. "And of course, we call on North Korea to abide by all of its international commitments including, of course, its commitment to allow consular access."