The South Korean government has officially approved a controversial bill that aims to ban anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns.

The bill passed the Cabinet on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun then urging Unification Minister Lee In-young to closely communicate with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that its enforcement fulfills the objective.

The minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs responded by saying that he will work with the National Assembly and enhance communication with the public to avoid misunderstandings over the ban.

The remarks come amid concerns both in South Korea and the United States over the ban infringing on freedom of expression, with a U.S. congressional committee set to convene next month to review it.

Seoul, for its part, argues that the ban is a minimal legal step to protect the lives of more than one million border area residents.