Clinton calls for U.S. reporters' release

PYONGYANG, North Korea, June 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged North Korea to free two American journalists held for allegedly sneaking into the country.

Euna Lee and Laura Ling, reporters for Current TV of San Francisco were taken into custody along the Chinese border with North Korea on March 17, while working on a story about North Korean refugees.

"We call again on the North Korean government to release them and enable them to come home as soon as possible," Clinton was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is the chairman of Current TV.

Clinton also called on Pyongyang to return to the so-called six-party talks aimed at ending the reclusive communist nation's nuclear ambitions.

"We, along with other neighbors in northeast Asia as well as the international community, stand ready to resume negotiations with the North Koreans over their nuclear program," she said.