Former Japanese prime minister Aso Taro has visited South Korea and met with President Yoon Suk-yeol. Analysts say the aim is to see if South Korea is interested in holding a summit with Japan.

South Korea's presidential office says Aso told Yoon their countries should continue dialogue and cooperation.

They are also believed to have discussed topics such as the wartime labor issue and the situation in East Asia... including how to respond to North Korea's repeated missile launches.

Aso is currently the vice president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He also heads a committee on cooperation between Japan and South Korea. He is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Park Jin on Thursday.

Relations between Tokyo and Seoul have soured over wartime labor and other historical issues. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said, "Bilateral ties need to be mended and developed further based on a friendly and cooperative relationship."

He also said Japan will continue to have close communication with the South Korean government.