South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday passed a resolution calling for renegotiation of a key clause in the free trade agreement with the United States expected to go into effect early next year.

In a resolution adopted by the parliamentary trade committee, ruling party and opposition lawmakers urged the Seoul government to renegotiate with its American counterparts over the clause on the investor-state dispute (ISD) settlement after the pact's implementation, if deemed necessary.

Critics argue that the provision allowing foreign investors to bring trade dispute claims directly against the government of the co-signatory before an international panel could limit Seoul's policies on American investors.

The resolution also called on the government to study U.S. federal and state laws that could conflict with South Korean laws and make diplomatic efforts to amend any conflicting clauses in the accord.

The committee separately adopted a resolution demanding the government prepare measures to curb illegal fishing in Korean waters by Chinese fishermen. (Yonhap News)