Former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived in North Korea's capital on Tuesday. He's there tyring to secure the release of two U.S. journalists convicted and sentenced to 12 years hard labor.

Clinton arrived by air and was greeted by the vice president of the North's rubber-stamp assembly and its chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye-gwan, a vice foreign minister.

South Korea did not comment on the reports, saying any announcement would come from Washington or Pyongyang. Japan's top spokesman said Tokyo hoped his visit would help provide a solution to the diplomatic standoff.

[Takeo Kawamura, Chief Cabinet Secretary]:
“We are deeply concerned about the two American journalists beingheld in North Korea, and the Japanese government hopes that this case is solved as early as possible."

The journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling of U.S. media outlet Current TV, were sentenced last month after arrest at the border with China in March, accused by North Korea of illegal entry and being "bent on slander."

In recent weeks Pyongyang has been seen as seeking direct negotiations with Washington, and some analysts say Clinton's visit could end a cycle of provocative military action, including missile launches and a nuclear test, and lead to fresh dialogue.