Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye agreed Monday to try to resolve as soon as possible the dispute over the "comfort women," who were forced to work in Japan's military brothels before and during World War II.

The feud has been a major obstacle to improving ties between two of Washington's key allies.

Abe announced the agreement after the two leaders held their first formal talks since taking office, as they seek to move beyond a bitter wartime history that has haunted relations.