Moon made the remark to Toshihiro Nikai, visiting secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in a meeting at the Blue House presidential office.

It is true that South Koreans feel unable to accept the bilateral deal to "finally and irreversibly" resolve the issue of women who were forced to sexually serve Japanese troops before and during World War II, Moon said.

It will take time to resolve the issue, he said. The president did not refer to possible renegotiation of the accord.

Moon also voiced his wish to establish a future-oriented relationship with Japan by separating history issues from other problems, including how to deal with provocative acts by North Korea.

Acting as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's special envoy, Nikai handed Moon a personal letter from Abe.

In the letter, Abe termed South Korea his country's most important neighbor that shares strategic interests, according to an informed source.

Abe called for close top-level communication between the two countries, as well as cooperation in dealing with North Korea. He also underscored hopes of building future-oriented bilateral ties.

Moon showed expectations for his first meeting with Abe, planned for early July in Germany on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit.

On proposed resumption of so-called shuttle diplomacy, the South Korean president expressed hopes that he and Abe will visit each other and hold talks.

Nikai admitted that there are different views on history issues in the two countries. But despite that, he wants to develop the two countries' relations, the LDP lawmaker said.

Moon was quoted by the South Korean side as saying that the two countries need to exercise wisdom to resolve history issues so that other issues can be handled separately.

On North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs, Moon said powerful pressures and sanctions must be imposed on the reclusive country.

The full removal of nuclear weapons from North Korea will not be attained unless the country returns to the table of negotiations, he said, stressing the need to send the message that North Korea may get help if it abandons the weapons. (Jiji Press)