Detained reporters' families speak out

PYONGYANG, North Korea, June 1 (UPI) -- Families of two U.S. journalists held in North Korea on spying charges are going public to lobby for the women's release before their trial begins Thursday.

An analyst at a university in Hong Kong told CNN the court in Pyongyang likely will convict journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee on spying charges and hand down lengthy sentences in the communist country's labor camps.

"I suspect they will be used in some kind of pawn in future negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. to gain concessions," said Brian Bridges, a Lingnan University professor specializing in the politics and foreign policies of North and South Korea.

Ling and Lee, reporters for California-based Current TV, were reporting on North Korean defectors living along the China-North Korea border when they were arrested March 17. North Korean officials said the reporters entered the country illegally, accused them of hostile acts and charged them with spying.

Until now, their families have not commented publicly, CNN reported Monday. However, the families will be appearing on several television shows to discuss the women's plight.

"Our families have been very quiet because of the extreme sensitivity of the situation, but given the fact that our girls are in the midst of a global nuclear standoff, we cannot wait any longer," Laura Ling's sister, Lisa, wrote on a Facebook page established for the detained reporters.

North Korea in May conducted a nuclear test and short-range missile launches, which the United States and several countries have condemned.

"At some stage, there will have to be some negotiations over the nuclear issue, the missile issue," Bridges said. "And I suspect the North will allow them to leave the country, but they will expect something as part of the deal -- if not explicitly, then implicitly."