Americans are leaving North Korea before the travel ban kicks in

Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — A handful of Americans have left Pyongyang on a flight to Beijing before the start of a US ban on American citizens going to North Korea.

Among the travelers on Thursday's flight from the North Korean capital were aid workers who hoped to be allowed to return to continue humanitarian work.

The Trump administration announced in July that it was barring American citizens from traveling to North Korea from Sept. 1 over concerns about detentions of Americans who travel there.

The ban includes potential exceptions for journalists and humanitarian workers, and expires after one year unless extended.

Humanitarian worker Heidi Linton, who was on Thursday's flight, said she didn't know how long it would take for travel approval to come through. She said "the devil is always in the detail."

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