Two American journalists who were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in North Korea for entering the country illegally have been pardoned after a surprise visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

President Obama says the U.S. is ready for any threats from North Korea, which will reportedly test a long-range missile on or near the Fourth of July: "I want ... to give assurances to the American people that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted in terms of what might happen."

North Korea has sentenced American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee to 12 years of hard labor for entering the country illegally. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson believes the North Koreans are using the journalists to negotiate with the U.S.