Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se came under fire Monday as both the ruling and opposition parties accused him of mishandling ties with major powers such as the United States and Japan.

Critics have argued that Seoul could be sidelined as Washington and Tokyo bolster their alliance as highlighted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the U.S. last week.

Talking openly about the importance of forward-looking relations between two of its top regional allies, Washington also appears reluctant to join Seoul's efforts to push Abe into making an unequivocal apology over Japan's wartime atrocities.

Rep. Sim Jae-kwon of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy especially took issue with the slow progress in getting Japan to take responsibility for its sexual enslavement of Korean and other Asian women during World War II.

"I have doubts about whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is (a ministry) of the Republic of Korea," he said during a meeting of the National Assembly committee for foreign affairs and unification.

Some lawmakers demanded that Yun step down to take responsibility for the alleged failed diplomacy.

Asked by Rep. Lee Jae-oh of the ruling Saenuri Party whether he has any intention to resign, Yun said he is not clinging to his post.

On Seoul's policy toward Japan, he stressed that his ministry has maintained a two-track approach of handling history and other issues separately.

"There's an absence of diplomatic and security strategy, an absence of a macro strategy. That's why the foreign ministry should be reorganized," Rep. Choi Jae-cheon of the opposition party said.

Lee also claimed that the ministry has not taken the lead on any diplomatic issue. (Yonhap)