Seoul: The South Korea National Assembly on Sunday passed a bill led by the ruling Democratic Party (DP) that would give police legal authority to block attempts to send “anti-Pyongyang” leaflets near border areas.

The amendment to the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers allows police to intervene in the launch of leaflets near the inter-Korean border, aiming to prevent activities that could heighten tensions between the two Koreas, Yonhap news agency reported.

The bill was passed at a plenary session, shortly after the main Opposition — People Power Party (PPP)’s filibuster ended through a vote 24 hours after it began.

The DP has said that the legislation is necessary to protect the safety of border residents and to help reduce military tensions, while the PPP opposed

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