The National Assembly has passed a revised bill that allows easier and further exchanges between the two Koreas.

The vote was two-hundred-30 to three, with four abstentions.

Under the revised law, South Koreans will be able to visit North Korea and contact North Koreans as many times as they wish after obtaining a permit from the Unification Ministry, until the permit expires.

Under current law, South Koreans have to acquire prior authorization from the government every time they visit the North. Violators are subject to punishment in accordance with the National Security Law that prohibits any unauthorized contact with the communist state or its people.