Governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, says a breakthrough could emerge regarding the release of two U.S. journalists detained by North Korea following their trial June fourth.

Richardson made the projection during an interview with U.S. broadcaster MSNBC on Thursday. His comments were based on his experience of visiting the communist state to secure the release of detained Americans in 1994 and 1996.

Richardson said the fact that the North has set a trial date is a good sign. He said that in previous cases, once the North’s legal process was started and a trial date was set, progress followed.

Richardson said the North has been relatively restrained in its criticism of the two women, adding that Pyongyang has restricted its use of the word “espionage” to describe the charges.

Laura Ling and Euna Kim, of San Francisco-based Current TV, were taken into custody by the North along its border with China on March 17th while they were shooting a documentary.