The U.S. State Department has confirmed that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will visit North Korea soon.

Deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters on Thursday that “Carter is traveling in a strictly private capacity,” adding that "he is not traveling with an official U.S. delegation and he does not carry an official message.”

Toner said the department has not had any contact with him other than being informed about the trip.

Carter reportedly is planning to visit the North sometime next month with some members of “The Elders,” including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, ex-Irish President Mary Robinson, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building.