South Korea on Tuesday called on Japan to "squarely" face up to its wartime history in a bid to win trust from neighboring countries as Germany did so by sincerely apologizing for the Nazi's atrocities.

Seoul's call came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday in Tokyo that Germany dealt with its history, saying that facing up to the past was "one of the conditions for reconciliation" with Germany's neighbors in Europe.

Japan's denial to apologize for its wartime sex slavery is one of the main diplomatic tensions between Seoul and Tokyo. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties and the 70th anniversary of Seoul's liberation from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule.

Seoul's foreign ministry urged Japan to follow in the footsteps of Germany by sincerely atoning for its past aggression and wrongdoings.

"It is a historical lesson that Germany's contrition and self-reflection toward its past history has become the basis of reconciliation and integration in Europe," Noh Kwang-il, spokesman at the foreign ministry, said in a press briefing.

"South Korea expects Japan to build trust with its neighbors and the global community by making courageous efforts to face up to its history and heal the wounds of its past atrocities," he added.

Merkel also said that reconciliation would not have been possible if there was no "generous gesture" by Germany's neighbors, taking France as an example.

Asked whether Merkel's comments have any indication for Seoul, Noh said that generosity can be offered only after a sincere apology for the past is made first.

"There is a Korean proverb that kind words can repay a huge debt. It stresses (the importance) of words with sincerity. In that much, Koreans are generous," Noh said, hinting that Japan should show sincerity first to South Korea. (Yonhap)