U.S. To Ban Americans From Traveling To North Korea
by Jessica MontevagoThe State Department will ban Americans from traveling to North Korea, U.S. officials said Friday, following the death of a student who fell into a coma in a North Korean prison.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will reportedly impose “geographic travel restriction” for North Korea, making it illegal for travelers with U.S. passports to enter the country. The restriction would go into effect 30 days after a notice is published in the Federal Register, but it is not immediately clear when that might be.
Americans who violate the ban could face a fine and up to 10 years in prison for a first offense.
Otto Warmbier died in June after suffering a severe neurological injury from an unknown cause while in custody at a North Korean prison. The 22-year-old University of Virginia student was accused of stealing a propaganda poster while on a tour.
The State Department issued a travel warning to the country in May, advising Americans to avoid traveling to the country.
