South Korea's foreign ministry on Saturday expressed deep worry over Japanese leaders' visit to the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of the militaristic and colonial past of Japan.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that the government expresses deep disappointment and worry about the repeated visits and ritual offerings by Japan's government and parliament leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine that beautifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

The statement urged Japan's responsible leaders to squarely face up to the history and show humble introspection and sincere repent over the past atrocities "with action."

Such action can build future-oriented relations between Seoul and Tokyo and let Japan gain trust from neighboring countries and the international community, the statement noted.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on the 75th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II on Saturday but refrained from a personal visit, according to a ruling party lawmaker.

At least two cabinet ministers visited the shrine, which honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from WWII and is seen by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. It was the first such visit since 2016.

Japan declared unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, bringing an end to WWII.

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Abe has not gone to Yasukuni in person since a December 2013 visit that outraged China and South Korea, but he has sent offerings via an aide.

The controversial Shinto shrine has long been a source of diplomatic friction with Japan's neighbors because it honors convicted war criminals together with the war dead.

Abe attended a ceremony marking the anniversary on Saturday morning, pledging never to repeat the devastation of war.

"Never to repeat the tragedy of war. We will continue to remain committed to this resolute pledge," he said.

The ceremony was scaled down to less than one-tenth of last year's size because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed "deep remorse" over the country's wartime past and prayed for world peace.

"I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated," said Naruhito, the grandson of Emperor Hirohito in whose name Imperial troops fought the war. 

(With input from Reuters, Xinhua)