The United States has called on North Korea to release two female American journalists it detained March 17th.

North Korea announced Friday that the two reporters will stand trial for unspecified criminal acts.

U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Washington is attempting to confirm the details surrounding the issue, but noted that the central goal is securing the two women’s immediate release. He assured that the U.S. is working through diplomatic channels to sort out the issue.

Wood said the Swedish ambassador to Pyongyang, who represents U.S. interests in the communist state, last met with the two journalists on March 30th. The Swedish official reported no signs of mistreatment following the visit.

Meanwhile, AFP cited an official from the U.S. State Department as saying that access to Euna Kim and Laura Ling has been blocked since the Swedish official's visit last month.