SAN FRANCISCO - THE husband of an American journalist jailed in North Korea says his wife sounded scared during a recent phone call and described her confinement as 'bearable'.

Iain Clayton, the husband of Laura Ling, said on Wednesday his wife called him on Sunday night. He said although she tried to be strong on the phone, he could tell she was worried.

Mr Clayton spoke after a vigil at San Francisco's Academy of Art University for Ms Ling and Euna Lee, the other American reporter jailed in North Korea.

Ms Lee and Ms Ling have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labour for allegedly entering the country illegally in March and engaging in 'hostile acts.' Michael Saldate, Lee's husband, said he heard from his wife on Sunday as well. He said she, too, sounded scared. -- AP