The Korean government has issued its official response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's war anniversary speech.
Seoul says it hopes the words of remorse in Abe's statement are more than just hollow remarks.
Park Ji-won reports.
In its official response on Saturday,... Korea's Foreign Ministry said it will keep a close eye on how the Japanese government will put Abe's words into action.
In particular,... it noted the part in Abe's statement,... in which he said "the position articulated by the previous cabinets will remain unshakable into the future."
With those words in mind,... the ministry urged Tokyo to swiftly resolve pending historical issues, including the issue of Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery.
The foreign ministry reiterated that while Seoul deals with history as a matter of principle,... it will continue to cooperate with Japan on areas of mutual concern for the sake of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.
The statement came as three Japanese government ministers and well over 60 lawmakers on Saturday visited the Yasukuni war shrine in Tokyo.
Abe sent a ritual cash offering to the shrine,... but did not make a personal visit.
His most recent visit in 2013 sparked angry protests from Korea and China, as well as a ticking off from the United States.
The shrine is so controversial as it honors 14 convicted war criminals as well as Japan's war dead.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry criticized the Japanese politicians who went to the shrine,... citing their lack of mature self-reflection.
In a separate statement on the matter,.. the ministry said Japan's neighbors and the international community can only build trust with Tokyo when it matches its remorseful words with actions.
However,... striking a different tone to Abe and some politicians,... Japanese Emperor Akihito on Saturday expressed his deep remorse and condolences for the victims of the war.
Speaking at a memorial service, Akihito said he hoped the ravages of war would never be repe