South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has called Japan "a partner sharing universal values," and stressed his intention to step up the two countries' cooperation in security and the economy.

Yoon spoke Tuesday at a ceremony in Seoul marking the anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

Yoon said South Korea and Japan are now partners that share universal values and pursue common interests.

He added that the two countries can jointly contribute to global peace and prosperity, while engaging in cooperation and exchanges in the fields of security and economy in a future-oriented manner.

The South Korean president noted the increased importance of security cooperation with Japan and the United States, against the backdrop of North Korea's provocations.

Yoon said the three countries should work closely together and share data in real time to fend off the North's nuclear and missile threats.

He said South Korea will also work with the international community to persuade Pyongyang to choose a path of dialogue and cooperation, and improve the lives of North Korean citizens.

Yoon said an upcoming summit with the US and Japan will "set a new milestone for trilateral cooperation," and contribute to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.

Yoon is due to meet Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and US President Joe Biden on Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat near Washington.