US set to ban travel to North Korea

by Tristan Lejeune - 07/21/17 7:14 AM ET

Two tour agencies that arrange travel to North Korea say the U.S. government plans to ban citizens from traveling there, according to Friday reports.

The news comes the month after American student Otto Warmbier, who was arrested in North Korea, was returned to the U.S. in a coma with severe brain damage. Warmbier died a week after his return.

Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours told the BBC the ban would be announced on July 27 and go into effect 30 days later.

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“After the 30 day grace period any US national that travels to North Korea will have their passport invalidated by their government,” Young Pioneer, which is based in China, said in a statement.

U.S. officials confirmed the planned change to The Associated Press on Friday.

The shift in policy comes amid increasing tensions between Pyongyang and Washington. The Trump administration has sought to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, warning that the “era of strategic patience” is over.

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