SEOUL, July 11  -- South Korean lawmakers on Friday adopted a resolution to denounce Japan's pursuit of collective self-defense, saying it will endanger peace and stability in the northeast Asian region.

"The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK) sternly warns that Japan's decision to allow the exercise of its collective self-defense right will be a serious factor for peace and stability in northeast Asia, and denounces it strongly as diplomatic provocation," said the resolution adopted by the parliamentary committee of foreign affairs and unification.

The resolution came after the Japanese cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, announced its resolution to re-interpret the 67-year-old pacifist constitution on July 1.

The announcement fueled concerns over Japan's return to its past militarism as the new interpretation may allow Japan to expand its military capability and fight alongside an ally even if it is not under attack.

The South Korean parliamentary committee urged the Japanese cabinet to immediately stop such anachronistic acts, while demanding Tokyo make an sincere apology for the past atrocities and take responsible attitude toward the militaristic past.

The committee also urged the South Korean government to express its clear opposition to Japan's exercise of the right to collective self-defense and to make diplomatic efforts to prevent recurrence of Japan's anachronistic acts.

The committee adopted a separate resolution in late June to criticize Japan for its review on the 1993 apology for the wartime sex slavery, saying the review was another act of historical provocation.

On June 20, the Abe cabinet unveiled the result of its re- examination on the Kono Statement. It said South Korea intervened in the wording of the apology, indicating it was the consequence of closed-door political dealings.

The Kono Statement refers to an official apology made in 1993 by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, who acknowledged that the imperialistic Japan was involved in the recruitment of more than 200,000 women, and forced them to serve in military brothels.