Germany's repentant attitude toward its World War II aggression serves as a good example to Northeast Asian countries faced with recurring diplomatic tensions over history-related issues, Seoul's foreign minister said.

Yun Byung-se made the remarks during a phone conversation with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier late Tuesday, according to the foreign ministry.

"The exemplary case of how Germany deals with history issues can be a good example in solving regional issues in Northeast Asia where tensions and conflicts over history-related problems are escalating," Yun was quoted as saying, apparently referring to the regional tension caused by the nationalist Shinzo Abe government's unrepentant attitude toward Japan's wartime atrocities.

South Korea is eager to learn from Germany's unification experience, the Seoul minister also said, with both ministers pledging to step up their cooperation in Seoul's push for the unification of the two Koreas.

Touching on North Korea's recent charm offensives including the recent proposal to hold inter-Korean talks, the German minister said that Seoul should seek out the true motive of the North's pattern of conciliatory gestures followed by military provocations.

Yun stressed that the North should prove its seriousness toward mending inter-Korean ties through actions rather than words, according to the ministry's statement.

Yun also proposed the German minister visit South Korea for a bilateral meeting, the ministry said. (Yonhap)