South Korea, Japan mark 50 years of ties with push to overcome strains

South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se (L) talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the start of their talks at Abe's official residence in Tokyo June 22, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - East Asian neighbours South Korea and Japan marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Monday with a push to mend relations strained for years by a territorial dispute and a feud over Japan's wartime past.

The key U.S. allies are also working towards their first leaders' meeting in three years, hoping to move past tensions that have complicated efforts to improve security cooperation in the face of an unpredictable North Korea and an assertive China.