SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's (ROK) Prime Minister called on Tuesday for "creative" measures to deal with impacts that a potential free trade agreement with China might have on the domestic economy.

"We need meticulous and creative preparations to deal with the trade deal's impact on ROK's industries, especially the vulnerable agricultural sector," Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said during a Cabinet meeting, according to his office.

Kim, who recently visited China for talks with his counterpart Wen Jibao, said China has suggested the need for a two-way trade pact between Seoul and Beijing.

"We need to look into ways to further promote strategic relations with China in the long term, considering that relations with China have increasingly greater implications," he added.