"The comfort women agreement we made with Japan during the last administration is not accepted by the people of Korea, particularly by the victims," Moon said in the interview with The Washington Post.

"The core to resolving the issue is for Japan to take legal responsibility for its actions and to make an official (government) apology," Moon was quoted as saying.

"But we should not block the advancement of Korea-Japan bilateral relations just because of this one issue," the major US daily also quoted him as saying.

Moon made remarks on the issue of Korean women who were forced into prostitution for Japanese troops chiefly during World Wat II probably for the first time as president, although he made similar demands to Japan during his election campaign, observers said.

On North Korea's nuclear development program, Moon was quoted as saying, "(For now) we must continue to strengthen our sanctions and pressure on North Korea."

"On the other hand, we are continuously trying to send a message that giving up its nuclear program and coming to the negotiating table is the right path for North Korea to protect itself and achieve its development," he was quoted as saying. (Jiji Press)