White House says two convicted US journalists are innocent

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Play VideoClinton calls for release of US journalists

The DPRK has sentenced two American women journalists to 12 years of reform through labor for unspecified "hostile acts" and illegally entering the country. They were arrested on March 17 near the China-DPRK border. The US is demanding the release of the two journalists, maintaining they are innocent.

The DPRK said Monday the women committed a "grave crime" and would be sentenced to 12 years of "reform through labor."

The US confirmed the sentencing, and called on the DPRK to release the journalists.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at a news conference with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, not pictured,  at the State Department in Washington, Monday, June 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of State, said, "We continue to seek the release of the two detained journalists on humanitarian grounds. Our protecting power in the DPRK is the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang and they confirmed the sentencing of both Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Some think the DPRK may use the journalists as bargaining chips as the UN debates a new resolution to punish the country for its atomic test last month.