South Korea has imposed a travel ban on several border regions of Venezuela starting Friday at 11 p.m.

The foreign ministry said the prohibition applies to Zulia, Táchira, Apure and Sucre states, excluding each state capital and eastern Zulia.

Other areas of Venezuela will remain under the existing level-three advisory urging citizens to leave.

Travelers entering the banned zones without special approval may face penalties under passport law.

The government said the move follows heightened instability as Venezuela faces pressure from a deployed U.S. aircraft carrier group.