U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged North Korea to grant clemency to two convicted U.S. journalists and deport them.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Clinton said the U.S. thinks the trial and sentencing of the two journalists should be viewed as humanitarian matters.

Clinton said that Washington is working through all channels possible for the two women’s release. The reporters for San Francisco-based Current TV were sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday for illegal entry and an unspecified grave crime.

Clinton also stressed that the reporters’ case is a separate matter from the international community’s response to Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test and missile launches.