US ban on North Korea takes effect

(Baonghean.vn) - On September 1, Washington's ban on US citizens traveling to North Korea took effect, amid rising tensions between the two countries over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

The ban was imposed following the death of 22-year-old American student Otto Warmbier in June, days after he was returned home in a coma after a year of detention in North Korea.

The ban was imposed following the death of 22-year-old American student Otto Warmbier last June. Photo: AP

The US State Department said on its website that the ban was imposed due to “a serious and growing risk of arrest and prolonged detention of US citizens”. Three US citizens were accused of various crimes against the state and were serving prison sentences in North Korea.

The travel ban does not apply to journalists, Red Cross representatives, or those traveling to North Korea for humanitarian purposes or travel that the State Department deems to be in the national interest of the United States. As of August 31, some U.S. citizens had left North Korea before the ban took effect.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rejoices at the successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4. Photo: AFP

Americans account for about 20 percent of the roughly 5,000 Western visitors to North Korea each year. A weeklong trip costs about $2,000. The vast majority of visitors to North Korea are Chinese.

In July, North Korean tourism development officials said the ban would have no impact on the country's economy./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)