[Roberts:] Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. You've seen their faces. The two American journalists captured and accused of spying in North Korea. And within hours, they are set to go on trial. The sister of one of the journalists, reporter Lisa Ling from CNN's "PLANET IN PERIL" series has pleaded for their release. Our Jason Carroll here now with what a trial in North Korea could mean. And by any stretch of the imagination, it's got to be a frightening prospect.
[Jason Carroll, Cnn National Correspondent:] Yes. And this has been so this has been such a terrifying ordeal, not only for the two women who are involved but for the families as well. If the trial proceeds and there is a conviction, they could be looking at an independent sentence at a prison or a labor camp. One of the many problems here is so little is known about North Korea, let alone the country's legal system. What is known, a fair trial is not likely.
[Carroll:] Trapped in one of the most isolated countries in the world, North Korea, imprisoned, accused of spying and awaiting trial. This is what American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are facing. Their families pleading for their release saying both women are terrified.
[Lisa Ling, Sister Of Kidnapped Journalist:] They never meant to cross into North Korea. I mean, that was never their objective. And if for some reason they may have, then we are sorry. And we hope that the North Korean government will show mercy.
[Carroll:] Lisa Ling received a surprise call from her sister last Tuesday saying she was being treated fairly. Ling who is also a journalist has reported from North Korea for "National Geographic" and knows just how dangerous the country can be.
[Ling:] How does the great leader defend it against big powers like America.
[Carroll:] With his wife's trial just one day away, Laura Ling's husband said the strain has been unbearable.
[Iain Clayton, Husband Of Kidnapped Journalist:] As you can imagine, it's probably been, you know, the worst few months of my life.
[Carroll:] Both Ling and Lee are reporters for "Current TV," a media venture started by former Vice President Al Gore. They were reporting on North Korean defectors living along the China-North Korea border when they were taken into custody on March 17. The North Korean government claiming the two entered the country, illegally, a charge the State Department and Lisa Ling deny. In an interview on AMERICAN MORNING, former vice president says he'd even consider going to North Korea to help.
[Al Gore, Former Vice President:] I would do anything within reason including that at the drop of the hat. But it is that's not it's not some place that you just buy a ticket and show up at the airport.
[Carroll:] Complicating diplomacy, North Korea angered the world with recent nuclear test and missile launches. Ambassador Wendy Sherman is an expert on the region and has met the country's leader, Kim Jong-Il, and knows he will influence the trial's outcome.
[Wendy Sherman, Former North Korea Policy Coordinator:] He understands how important family is to each other. And so I hope that he takes that understanding and releases these two young women and returns them to their families.
[Carroll:] Victor Cha has also been to North Korea, the former director for Asian Affairs under George W. Bush says the country's legal system has little rhyme or reason.
[Victor Cha, Georgetown University, Csis Korea Chair:] I think what you would expect to see is something in between a prison sentence to, you know, perhaps even sentencing to some sort of labor camp. Hopefully, those will just be a token sort of punishment.
[Carroll:] Again, the trial is set for Thursday. Representatives from Sweden have been working behind the scenes to try to engage the North Koreans. They're looking at what happened in the '90s when an American pilot accidentally flew over the region and was taken into custody. He was released after he promised to apologize.
[Roberts:] She had this ghost coming down hours from now. Jason, thanks so much. Don't miss "AC360" tonight, by the way. Lisa Ling and both journalists' husbands will be live with Anderson at a vigil, hoping for their release. That's on "AC360" tonight at 10:00 Eastern.