Nongovernmental organizations on North Korean human rights say that the North has banned its people from domestic and overseas travel before elections are held on July 29th to select delegates for the country's People's Congress.

Good Friends, which campaigns for improving the North Korean human rights situation, reported the total travel ban in its latest bulletin on Thursday.

According to the organization, some North Koreans who fled to China are returning home voluntarily because failure to cast a ballot could negatively affect their families staying in the North.

Free North Korea Radio, a radio station in South Korea operated by escapees from the North, also reported that even North Koreans who had obtained travel permits are concerned about the travel ban.