The United States on Thursday voiced its concern over the fate of two American journalists detained by the Democratic People's Republic Korea (DPRK) at northern bordering areas with China.

"We're aware of reports that early in the morning of March 17, China time, two American citizens were taken into custody across the Tumen river by what appear to be North Korean border guards," local media quoted State Department press officer Fred Lash as saying.

"We are working with Chinese government officials in that particular area to ascertain the whereabouts and welfare of the Americans in question. We've also been in touch with North Korean officials to express our concern about the situation," Lash said.

Lash failed to provide the names of the two detained US journalists.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday that two US female journalists were detained by DPRK authorities two or three days before when operating near the Tumen River. They were detained when they kept on gathering news information despite DPRK officials' warning, the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2009)