Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, were found guilty of “hostile acts” and illegal entry into North Korea, state media reported.
They were arrested in March after allegedly from China.
My process took place amid rising tensions in North Korea’s nuclear program and recent missile tests.
“We are all possible channels to release the reporters, White House spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement Monday.
The trial began on Thursday and North Korea on Monday, state media agency KCNA, a report said the two had been convicted.
“The study confirms the serious crimes against the Korean nation and illegal border crossings … and each sentenced to 12 years of reform through labor,” said the brief report.
The news agency gave no further details.
Outside observers were not allowed to attend the court hearing in Pyongyang.
The ruling means that the reporters with the prospect of spending the years in a prison camp in the north, where conditions are too harsh, the BBC said Chris Hogg in Seoul.
Euna Lee, a Korean-American, and Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, were detained by North Korean guards on March 17 while working in China and North Korea at the border a story about refugees from the Internet California-based Current TV.
Some reports have suggested that women were in the Chinese land, but state media said Pyongyang would be illegal in North Korea.
The two have been in detention since his arrest.
Regional tensions
U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton once described the charges against the two women as “baseless.” It is believed to be considering sending an envoy to negotiate his release.
There has been speculation that former U. S. Vice President Al Gore would travel to Pyongyang. He is the co-founder of Current TV. It is feared, Ms. Lee and Ms. Ling is now known as “negotiation” of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in their efforts to win concessions from Washington, Seoul, says our correspondent. These concessions may be humanitarian aid or direct talks with Washington, analysts say.
U.S. said before the negotiations could only, under the currently stalled six-party talks on nuclear disarmament, including South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.
Female family members have opted for a pardon and asked Pyongyang and Washington to ignore their current diplomatic stand-off with.
The tensions have settled in the region since North Korea nuclear test in May, and then test fired several missiles. Another long-range missile test is of the opinion that the plan for later this month.
The UN Security Council welcomes tougher sanctions against Pyongyang, and Mrs. Clinton said Sunday that the U.S. has given North Korea back to the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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