South Korea on Tuesday described Japan as a "precious partner" but warned it would give no ground to presumptive premier Shinzo Abe on thorny diplomatic issues that have dogged ties for decades.

"The government's position is consistent and clear. There are issues, including issues related to history, on which we cannot concede," foreign ministry spokesman Cho Tai-young said.

The remark was a clear reference to territorial disputes and other issues of contention arising from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over South Korea.

Seoul reacted angrily in October when Abe visited a Tokyo shrine that honors some leading war criminals from World War II.

As prime minister in 2007, Abe also angered South Koreans by denying the Japanese military's direct involvement in forcing women into sexual slavery during the war.

Cho said there were many fields such as regional security, North Korea, trade and culture where mutual cooperation was possible.

"In those fields, Japan is a precious partner, with which we have been closely cooperating and will do so in the future. The fact that Japan has a new government will not prevent such cooperation," he said.

AFP