PYONGYANG, North Korea — Two American tourists charged with “anti-state” crimes in North Korea said Friday they expect to be tried soon and pleaded for help from the U.S. government to secure their release from what they say could be long prison terms.
In their first appearance since being detained more than three months ago, Matthew Todd Miller and Jeffrey Edward Fowle told The Associated Press that they were in good health and were being treated well. They also said they were allowed to take daily walks.
Fowle said he fears his situation will get much worse once he goes on trial. “The horizon for me is pretty dark,” he said.
North Korea says the two committed hostile acts that violated their status as tourists. It has announced that authorities are preparing to bring them before a court, but has not yet specified what they did.
