The presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party said Thursday that tensions over wartime labor compensation can be solved if Japan makes a "sincere apology," but he did not offer a concrete plan on an issue that has aggravated bilateral relations.

During a news conference with foreign media in Seoul, Lee Jae-myung also disputed media reports that paint him as a hard-liner due to his past remarks, saying they are based on misunderstandings and that he respects Japan as a country.

"I'd like to say that I love Japanese people because I had very heartwarming experiences during my past visits to Japan," the former governor of Gyeonggi Province said.