01 SEP 2017: The ban on Americans with US passports travelling to North Korea took effect today. It will expire after one year unless extended, and journalists and humanitarian workers are permitted to apply for exemptions at the discretion of the US State Department.

The ban follows the death of a 22-year-old college student Otto Warmbier who was jailed for nearly a year and a half and was sent home to the states in a coma, from which he never recovered. He died within days.

The ban is also attributed to US concern about Pyongyang’s recent advancements in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Last month North Korea released Canadian pastor Yeon Soo Lim who had been imprisoned for almost two years. He had been sentenced to life in prison with hard labour for alleged anti-state activities.

The North Korean government released him in what they described as “sick bail” and Lim has suggested that his freedom was gained because he holds a Canadian passport.

Up to 5,000 Western tourists visit North Korea annually according to US lawmaker Joe Wilson. In the last ten years about 16 American have been detained.

According to Reuters, it was not immediately clear how many Americans had sought, or been granted, exemptions or how many were still in North Korea. That information was denied by the US State Department.

Global Affairs Canada advises against all travel to North Korea (officially named the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) due to the uncertain security situation caused by North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program and highly repressive regime.

There is no resident Canadian government office in the country. The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance in North Korea is extremely limited.