S Korea, Japan mark 50 years of ties

East Asian neighbours South Korea and Japan marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties yesterday with a push to mend relations strained for years by feuds over the legacy of Japan's wartime past.

The key US allies are also working towards their first leaders' meeting in three years, hoping to move past tension that has complicated efforts to improve security cooperation in the face of an unpredictable North Korea and an assertive China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a reception hosted by the South Korean embassy in Tokyo, while South Korean President Park Geun-hye was to attend a ceremony hosted by the Japanese embassy in Seoul.

Until Sunday, the two leaders had been expected only to send messages.

"Let us build a new era for our two countries together, while looking back at the 50 years of history of friendship and development and looking forward at the next 50 years," Abe said at the reception, where guests were serenaded with traditional Japanese and Korean music.

"For that, I would like to join forces with President Park Geun-hye and work together."

Park echoed the message, calling for the two countries to make a fresh start at a reception hosted by the Japanese embassy in Seoul and attended by heads of missions from around the world, including US Ambassador Mark Lippert.

"As we seek to do so, what is important is to ensure that circumstances are put in place that allow us to free ourselves of the heavy burden of history, our single greatest impediment, in the spirit of reconciliation and harmony," Park added.