Singapore excludes N. Korea from visa waiver program

Singapore has decided to end its visa waiver program with North Korea. The move is one of the country’s execution measures in line with the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2270 against North Korea. Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoint Authority said on Saturday that all North Koreans who are entering the Southeast Asian nation will have to receive a visa from October 1. In its plan on sanctions execution measures it had submitted to the UNSC in June, the city state said, “We are devising measures to deny entry by North Koreans subject to sanctions and to strengthen visa regulations on North Korean nationals in the future.”

Singapore was one of the two major countries in Southeast Asia along with Malaysia that have implemented a visa waiver program for the Stalinist state.

“Due to the visa waiver program, North Korea could have used Singapore and Malaysia as hubs for its foreign currency earning campaign and human exchanges,” South Korean government sources said. Notably, Singapore has been a destination frequently visited for disease treatment and tours by high-profile North Koreans including Kim Jong Un’s aunt, Kim Kyong Hee.

In the wake of Singapore’s latest decision, the North will inevitably face a setback in its drive to earn foreign currency, and international activities. Singapore-based non-profit organizations including "Chosun Exchange" that have focused on technology training and private sector exchange will also likely suffer a blow.

조숭호기자 shcho@donga.com