The U.S. government has extended its travel ban on North Korea for another year.
On the 7th, the U.S. Department of State announced through the Federal Register that, without special permission, U.S. passport holders cannot visit North Korea until August 31, 2025.
The State Department explained that there are serious risks for U.S. citizens and nationals being arrested and detained for long periods in North Korea, which poses an immediate threat to the physical safety of Americans.
The travel ban was first imposed in September 2017 following the detention of American student Otto Warmbier in North Korea. Warmbier returned to the U.S. in a coma and passed away just a week later. Since then, the U.S. has renewed the travel ban annually.
The State Department also specified the legal basis for the travel ban. According to this regulation, the Secretary of State can restrict travel to countries or regions at war with the U.S., experiencing military hostilities, or posing an immediate threat to American travelers’ health or physical safety.
Under the travel ban, Americans wishing to visit North Korea for special purposes must obtain special approval from the State Department.
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