In an attempt to gain their release, the United States has shifted its carefully crafted language to imply the culpability of two American journalists who were convicted by North Korea of illegally entering the Stalinist country earlier this year. Today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even appeared to apologize for the incident.

“Well, the two journalists and their families have expressed great remorse for this incident. And I think everyone is very sorry that it happened. What we hope for now is that these two young women would be granted amnesty through the North Korean system and be allowed to return home to their families as soon as possible,” Clinton said during a town hall meeting with State Department employees.