BEIJING — The foreign ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will discuss a meeting between the leaders of the three countries, a spokesman said on March 20.

“The foreign ministers will exchange views on a leaders’ meeting,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, adding that “right political atmosphere is needed for the summit.”

The foreign ministers will meet in Seoul on March 21, for the first time after a three-way meeting in April 2012.

“The historical issue, a major obstacle to the three countries’ relationship in the past few years, is also a major reason for the suspension of high-level meetings,” Hong said.

He called on the foreign ministers to have “candid exchanges” on historical issue to improve bilateral relations between relevant countries.