The United States confirmed Friday that it plans to ban its nationals from traveling to North Korea, in the wake of the death of an American student who was imprisoned by Pyongyang during a tourist visit.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the restriction would be formally announced in the Federal Register next week, and take effect one month after publication.

"Due to mounting concerns over the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea's system of law enforcement, the Secretary has authorized a Geographical Travel Restriction on all US citizen nationals' use of a passport to travel in, through, or to North Korea," Nauert said.

"Once in effect, US passports will be invalid for travel to, through and in North Korea," she said, adding that those seeking authorization for travel for "certain limited humanitarian or other purposes" would only be able to do so with a "special validation passport."

source: AFP