<p>Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday he told his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in that the two countries needed to repair their damaged relations, calling South Korea an important neighbour to counter the threat from North Korea.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters after his phone meeting with Moon, Suga said: "I told President Moon that we cannot leave our relations, which have been hurt by issues including war-time labourers, where they are now."</p>.<p>Suga replaced Shinzo Abe as prime minister last week.</p>
<p>Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday he told his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in that the two countries needed to repair their damaged relations, calling South Korea an important neighbour to counter the threat from North Korea.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters after his phone meeting with Moon, Suga said: "I told President Moon that we cannot leave our relations, which have been hurt by issues including war-time labourers, where they are now."</p>.<p>Suga replaced Shinzo Abe as prime minister last week.</p>