The report that two American journalists were detained in North Korea was confirmed Saturday.
According to a New York Times article, North Korea apprehended the journalists on charges of "illegally intruding" to their state through the Chinese border.
Journalists Laura Ling (a Chinese-American) and Euna Lee (a Korean-American) working for Current TV, were on a trip along the border when the were captured by North Korean border guards.
Their colleague Mitch Koss and their Chinese guide reportedly were detained, too. But according to The Chosun Ilbo--South Korea's leading newspaper--the two men later escaped.
On Friday, the U.S. government said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was trying to get the reporters released--according to Chun Ki-won, a Christian clergyman in Seoul who helped arrange her trip.
This incident has not helped the relationship between the U.S. and North Korea.Recently, it was discovered that the North will be launching a satellite--the U.S. thinks the launch is a cover for ballistic missile testing.
Also, according to the Japanese and South Korean governments, Saturday the North Koreans told international aviation authorities it is closing two international air routes through its airspace from April 4 through April 8 for the satellite launch.
The Chosun Ilbo, reported Saturday that the Current TV camera crew appeared to have crossed the Tumen river border while trying to get a closer shot of North Korea.
According to the The Chosun, most of the river bed is dry and the river's shallow water is frozen this time of year. It is hard to tell where the border lies and North Korean guards often hide in bunker-like guard posts in the area.
New York Times
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