Japan and South Korea pledged Thursday to work towards the celebration of half a century of normal diplomatic ties, the latest in a series of little steps as frosty ties gradually thaw.

Japan and South Korea pledged Thursday to work towards the celebration of half a century of normal diplomatic ties, the latest in a series of little steps as frosty ties gradually thaw.

"We will make efforts so that we will be able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic normalization in a warm atmosphere," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-Yong.

"There are very difficult issues between South Korea and Japan," Cho replied, but added: "We hope to make next year the year the relationship will start to develop."

The 10 minute meeting comes after two-way foreign ministerial talks last week, and is being seen as the latest sign that the neighbors are trying to put two years of bitter disputes behind them.

Ties have soured over the familiar theme of their disputed shared history, and over what Seoul says is Tokyo's reluctance to accept full responsibility for 35 years of colonialism up to 1945.

Kishida and his South Korean opposite number Yun Byung-Se last week held talks on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York.

On Wednesday Cho and his Japanese counterpart Akitaka Saiki discussed "various bilateral issues" and other subjects, including North Korea and trilateral cooperation involving China, the foreign ministry said.