South Koreans who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima have received an apology directly from their country's president. Yoon Suk-yeol says they have not been provided with sufficient support.

Yoon is visiting the western Japanese city for discussions with the leaders of the G7.

On Friday, he met a group of Koreans who survived the atomic bombing of the city in 1945. The Korean Peninsula was under Japan's colonial rule at the time.

Yoon said he would like to express his deepest apologies for the grief and suffering they endured.

The South Korean leader and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio are scheduled to pay their respects at a cenotaph dedicated to the Korean victims on Sunday.

Yoon pointed out that he will be the first South Korean president to do so, and apologized for the belated visit.

Yoon's office says he is the first South Korean president to meet the survivors.

Some of those in attendance said the meeting has eased their pain.

More than 20,000 people from the Korean Peninsula are said to have died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The exact number is unknown.