WORLD BRIEFING / NORTH KOREA

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she was “incredibly concerned” about the plight of two U.S. journalists who face trial in North Korea.

North Korean authorities announced that Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested three months ago on the Chinese-North Korean border, were about to go on trial. But it has provided no updates.

In working for the release of the two women, Clinton said she has spoken with foreign officials with influence in North Korea and explored the possibility of sending an envoy, but suggested that no one would be sent during the trial.

The journalists were working for former Vice President Al Gore’s California-based Current TV.