North Korean state television says Kim Jong-il has granted clemency to two United States journalists who were earlier sentenced to 12 years' hard labour. The release of the two women follows a visit to North Korea by former US president Bill Clinton who held talks with the North Korean leader.

The two journalists were arrested in March near the border between North Korea and China. They were later found guilty of entering North Korea illegally and spreading libel. The US administration has stressed that Mr Clinton was on a private mission and was not acting a Washington envoy.

photo: Bill Clinton and Kim Jong-il (North Korean state TV)