Euna Lee, Laura Ling - American journalists held in North Korea

The two American journalists held captive in North Korea are "very scared" as they await trial this week, relatives said Monday in their first public remarks.

"We are terrified and that's why we are here," said Lisa Ling, sister of Laura Ling, who was detained with fellow TV reporter Euna Lee on March 17.

The two women are charged with crossing the North Korean border from China and with other unspecified "hostile acts."

Their trial is slated to begin Thursday in Pyongyang's Central Court.

"We don't really know what to expect with this trial," Lisa Ling, also a television journalist, said on the "Today" show during an interview with the families. "The situation is so sensitive."

Relatives said they laid low so far in hope of a resolution.

But they decided to speak out as the trial date nears and tensions in the region escalating by the day.

Kim Jong-Il's regime tested a nuclear bomb and then launched a series of short-range missiles last week, sparking international outrage. Experts warn that the volatile and isolated nation may use the captured Americans as bargaining chips.

"We need to try to encourage our countries to talk to resolve this issue separate from the greater nuclear issue," Lisa Ling said.

She added that Ling and Lee had no intention to cross the border, but if they mistakenly had, "We, the families, apologize profusely on their behalf."

The detained reporters, who work for Current TV, a news organization founded by former Vice President Al Gore, received two visits from a Swedish diplomat since their capture and were allowed to send one letter and make one phone call to loved ones.

"They are very, very scared," Lisa Ling said.

Laura Ling's husband Iain Clayton read a portion of a letter from his wife that said, "Everyday I shed so many tears thinking about this."

Relatives urged the journalists' release, saying Ling suffers from an ulcer and Lee has a 4-year-old daughter, Hannah, waiting at home.

"She still thinks mommy is at work," said Lee's husband, Michael Saldate.

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