Entry to the United States of North Korean escapees has been suspended due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from entering the country.

Voice of America (VOA) reported on Sunday that North Korean refugees are not permitted to enter the United States at least for four months as the executive order places a 120-day moratorium on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

During the four month period, U.S. authorities will reportedly "review the USRAP application and adjudication process to determine additional procedures to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare" of the country.

Under the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act, North Korean escapees can attain refugee status in the United States.

However, the VOA said that the impact of the executive order will be minimal since there are not many North Korean refugees within the United States, quoting Suzanne Scholte, the chair of the North Korea Freedom Coalition and vice co-chair of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

The VOA said that a total of 211 North Korean refugees entered the United States between 2006 and 2016.

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