Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Sunday that South Korea and Japan should ramp up efforts to make this year a new era for their ties based on a correct understanding of their shared history.

Yun made the remarks at an annual joint culture event with Japan in Seoul to mark the 50th anniversary of normalization of Seoul-Tokyo relations. Korea was under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

"The relations between South Korea and Japan are still being affected by a bitter legacy stemming from modern history," Yun said during his congratulatory message.

His remarks come as South Korea, China and Japan are seeking to hold a trilateral summit, possibly in late October or early November, underscoring efforts to mend ties amid history and territorial rows. A trilateral summit has not been held since May 2012.

Seoul and Beijing, victims of Japan's wartime aggression, have been strongly calling for Tokyo to sincerely apologize for its atrocities such as Japan's sexual enslavement of Korean and other Asian women during World War II.

The sex slave issue has been a major thorn in relations between Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea demands Japan acknowledge state responsibility for the issue and offer proper compensation, while Tokyo insists the matter was settled under a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties.

But Yun refrained from making bitter rebukes against Japan in an apparent effort to mend ties.

"Fifty years ago, as our past generation sought to design a grand plan for the Seoul-Tokyo ties, I hope that the two countries can make efforts to make their ties leap forward," the minister said.

Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok also expressed hope that the joint culture event could serve as a new messenger to spur cultural exchanges between the two neighboring countries.

The event also brought together Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koro Bessho and Isshu Sugawara, senior vice economy minister of Japan.

Yun had a brief conversation with Bessho before together entering the venue at the Coex exhibition center in southern Seoul.

"We are hoping to hold 'high-level' talks," Bessho told a group of reporters when asked about his expectations for the Seoul-Tokyo ties.

Japan's top envoy apparently pointed to a summit between President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Since taking office in early 2013, Park has shunned a summit with Abe, citing Japan's reluctance to face up to its wartime wrongdoings.

"As civilian exchanges are getting more vibrant between the two nations, I hope that Japan and South Korea can move forward to mark the landmark year," Bessho said.

The joint event has been held since 2005 in both Seoul and Tokyo when the two celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of their relations. In Tokyo, a similar event will be held from Saturday and to Sunday.

Akie Abe, the wife of Japan's premier, plans to attend the Tokyo event, according to Sugawara. (Yonhap)