Singapore will exclude North Korea from its visa waiver countries list starting in October as part of its efforts to sanction the reclusive country for its nuclear and missile development programs, diplomatic sources said.

Sources here said the Southeast Asian country's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority announced that all North Koreans will be required to have a valid visa.

Authorities added that the decision follows a review of the island city state's regular visa process and reflects a move to enforce penalties on the communist state as outlined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270.

In a follow-up to the UNSC's resolution released in June, Singapore said it will tighten control of North Koreans crossing its borders.

The country in the past did not specify a date for tightening its immigration control on North Koreans.

Singapore is one of a handful of countries that North Korean citizens can enter without a visa. The others are the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Malaysia, Gambia and a few other small countries.

This has made the country a favorite destination for North Korean businessmen and industrial trainees wanting to learn new global trends and explore economic opportunities with foreign partners.

Some observers said that the latest move may adversely affect operations of non-governmental organizations stationed in Singapore that have tried to help North Korea by arranging aid shipments and personnel exchanges. (Yonhap)