**North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has issued a special pardon to two detained US journalists, the country’s state news agency reports.**Laura Ling and Euna Lee had been found guilty of entering illegally in March.
The news comes hours after former US President Bill Clinton made an unannounced visit to Pyongyang on what was described as a private mission.
Mr Clinton is the highest-profile American to visit since ex-secretary of state Madeleine Albright in 2000.
“Kim Jong-il issued an order… granting a special pardon to the two American journalists who had been sentenced to hard labour,” the official North Korean News Agency (KCNA) said in a statement.
The women’s pardon was a sign of North Korea’s “humanitarian and peace-loving policy”, KCNA said.
‘Private visit’
Washington had made no announcement of Mr Clinton’s trip prior to his arrival on Tuesday, but later stressed it was a private visit.
Mr Clinton had landed in Pyongyang in an unmarked plane and was greeted at the airport by North Korean officials.
KCNA said that Mr Clinton had met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, although the White House denied its report that Mr Clinton had conveyed a message from US President Barack Obama.
Laura Ling, 32, and Euna Lee, 36, had been found guilty of entering North Korea illegally across the Chinese border in March and were sentenced to 12 years’ hard labour.
They were arrested by North Korean guards while filming a video about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV.
Analysts say that Kim Jong-il is eager to improve relations with Washington as he prepares to name a successor.
President Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke a year ago and also has chronic diabetes and heart disease. Analysts say his third son is being lined up to succeed him.