Laura Ling Sentenced To 12 Years In Labor Prison

American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been sentenced to 12 years in labor prison by North Korea’s Central Court.

The Korean Central News Agency said on Monday the pair, who were working for former Vice President Al Gore‘s California-based Current TV, were convicted for the “grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing. [The court] sentenced each of them to 12 years of reform through labor.”

Laura (pictured right) is the sister of Lisa Ling (pictured left), former co-host of The View.

Lisa made public pleas for their release on Wednesday on Anderson Cooper 360: “When the girls left the United States, they never intended to cross into North Korean soil. And if they did at any point, we apologize. And we know that they are very, very sorry. And we ask that you show mercy today.”